Carolyn Sue Parrish, 82, of Tifton, GA, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025. She was born on July 17, 1942, in Bloomington, IN, to the late Jessie and Minnie (Davis) Gardner.
Sue graduated from Bloomington High School in 1960 and married Stephen “Steve” Parrish, also from Bloomington, in 1961. They were married almost 57 years prior to Steve’s passing in 2018. Sue and Steve moved to Ocala, Florida in 1971 and remained there until 2016 when they returned to Bloomington to be near their families. During this time, Sue and Steve joined Unionville Church of Christ. While in Ocala, they were active members of Maricamp Road Church of Christ and later, Central Church of Christ. Sue loved to run and exercise and enjoyed daily visits to the gym with Steve. She was especially proud of winning a 5K race years ago in her age division. She earned an AA Degree from Central Florida Community College in 1979 and worked mainly in the finance and insurance sector for most of her professional career.
Sue was known for her silliness and sense of humor, loved comedy shows and movies, and always enjoyed a good laugh. She held herself to the highest standard and carried out all tasks and duties with perfection. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and daughter who cherished each family member, especially her four grandchildren. She will be deeply missed all of her family and friends.
Survivors include her children, son, Stephen (Burnie) Parrish, II (Janet), Tallahassee, Florida and daughter Jill Parrish Cross (Andy), Tifton, Georgia, four grandchildren, Caroline Parrish Hammond (Matt), Palmer Parrish, Hunter Cross and Julianna Cross, and sister Jane Chandler (Alan), formerly of Bloomington. Sue was preceded in death by her parents Minnie and Jessie Gardner, husband Steve Parrish, brothers, Charles Gardner, Paul Gardner, Robert Gardner, Donald Gardner, sisters Betty Gardner Butler and Sharon Gardner Nicholson.
Visitation will be Friday, July 25, 2025, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 East 3rd Street, Bloomington, Indiana, 47401. A celebration of life will begin at 2:00pm at the Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, Indiana.
The Parrish family would like to express its sincere gratitude to Seasons at Cypress Pond and Regency Hospice in Tifton, Georgia. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.