Rev. Carol Elizabeth Parrish-Harra

Reverend Carol Elizabeth Parrish-Harra was born on January 21, 1935 in Nettleton, AR, the daughter of Clarence Williams and Corrine (Parrot) Neff. She grew up in a household with one brother and two sisters, Paul, Judy and Carla. Carol was blessed with 10 children with her previous husband, Bill Griffin, before his passing in 1980. Carol was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher and friend. A beacon of light to those around her, she was outgoing and had a wonderful sense of humor. Ahead of her time in many ways. She was a gifted individual from her early years and knew what she wanted to accomplish in life.

She met Charles Clayton Harra when she lived in St. Petersburg, FL and the two were married on December 2, 1976 in Gainesville, FL, before settling in Sarasota, FL. In Sarasota, together they created Villa Serena. They worked towards each other’s dreams and paved the way for the ministry created in Tahlequah, OK. Carol set a Godly example to everyone she met; always welcomed, never turned away. This good and faithful servant of the Lord was called to her eternal rest on Tuesday, March 23, 2025 in Brooksville, FL. She was 90 years old and leaves a legacy that will carry on the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She worked for many years to earn her doctorate, an ordained minister and founder of the Light of Christ Church in Sparrow Hawk Village in Tahlequah. She was likewise the founder of the Sancta Sophia, a school dedicated to Esoteric Christianity and Ageless Wisdom. Ordained in 1971, she left her business behind and devoted herself full time to the Network of Religious Futurist as the President Council on the status of women. In 1981, she established Sparrow Hawk Village, where students were trained for masters and doctoral degrees. Carol traveled the world, working and exploring and was the author of 17 published books.

She has gone home to join her parents, Clarence Williams and Corrine Neff, husband, Charles Clayton Harra, two sons, Joseph and William Michael Griffin, two daughters, Judy Gail and Mary Beth Parrish as well as one infant child, one brother, Paul M. Neff Jr. and two sisters, Judy Kougl and Carla Neff Gordan and one son-in-law, Rodney Smith.

Her memory lives on through her four daughters, Patricia Lynn Griffin of Minneapolis, MN, Brenda Jane Griffin of Spring Hill, FL, Susan Ranell Aubertin-Smith of Brooksville, FL and Karen Annette Rossi of Broken Arrow, OK and her one son, Mark Jeffrey Parrish of Tahlequah, OK along with 15 cherished grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, as well as many brothers and sisters of the faith, her many beloved students and friends throughout the years.

A special thank you to her daughter, Susan Aubertin-Smith and grandson, Ericson Parrish, for all the extra love and care you have given when Carol could no longer care for herself.

Funeral services for Carol will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 11:00am at Reed-Culver Chapel with Reverend Tom Simota officiating, special music by Reverend Roberta Wilkes. A time of visitation will be held prior to services beginning at 10:00am at Reed-Culver Funeral Home.