Alberta Parry Batchelor

Alberta Parry Batchelor, age 88, passed away on January 16, 2023.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Howard Griffin and Rev. Dr. Murray Gossett officiating.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, Texas.

Alberta was born on July 12, 1934 in Milford, CT to William Edward and Elizabeth Swett Parry.  While she was still a child, the family moved to Great Barrington, Massachusetts where she spent her childhood in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains.  A New England girl at heart, she may have left the Berkshires, but they never left her, and Great Barrington remained her special place throughout her life.

After attending the Rhode Island School of Design, as an art major, she married Bob Fred Batchelor in 1954, moved to Amarillo, and celebrated  61 years of marriage before his passing in 2015.  Bob and Alberta were devoted members of the First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years and were members of the original Triple T Sunday School class that founded Opportunity School. She loved serving on numerous church committees and attending everything that the church offered for any age.  Her faith was true and her belief in God spoke through her every movement.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, she became a bridal consultant, dressing thousands of brides through Colbert’s, Sakowitz, and Alberta’s of Amarillo for over 50 years.  She was a meticulous businesswoman, with an eye for detail, tradition, and decorum.

A love of Santa Fe led her to also open a children’s boutique in the La Fonda Hotel, Cheri Cherie’, where she happily enjoyed each and every child, parent, and grandparent who passed through her door for 36 years.  Throughout her career, she served multiple generations of families and nothing made her happier than to help another person make special memories, whether it was a baby or a bride.

Alberta was a Mom Emeritus to many.  Her kind and generous spirit reached out to an eclectic group – she took in not only stray cats but also stray people, without judgement.  She was blessed with many special gifts, among them a continual love of new experiences.  Whether it was traveling the world or exploring in her own backyard, she had a curiosity of life that kept her young at heart and incredibly current.   An immense love of her family, church, friends, holidays, and cats is truly her lasting legacy.  Knowing and loving her has been her family’s joy and privilege and she will be missed beyond measure.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Melody and Chuck Alexander and son Erick Kirby; daughter Melinda Batchelor; sister Roberta Parry; sister-in-law Betty Batchelor Burgy; beloved nieces, nephews and their families; and a multitude of friends whose lives were touched by this extraordinary woman.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Frederik LeGrange and the incredible medical team of the Holland America MS Rotterdam.  Their expertise, compassion, and human nature will not be soon forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to First Presbyterian Church or Opportunity School, 1100 S. Harrison, Amarillo, Texas 79101 or to the Amarillo Little Theatre, 2019 Civic Circle, Amarillo, TX  79109.