Sandra Elaine (Parnosky) Parish, 62, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, passed away on December 7, 2025. She was born on August 24, 1962, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to Willie Parnosky and Nancy Sue Parnosky Fields. Sandra married Larry Wayne Parish, on November 7, 1981, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sandra dedicated her life to service and community. She worked proudly as a Correction Officer at Eddie Warrior Correctional Facility. She also served as a Council Representative for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation from 2002 to 2005 and held the role of Director for the Muscogee Indian Community. Throughout her life, she remained a devoted member of the Butler Creek Baptist Church, where she was active in church functions and community activities.
She is survived by her children, Wesley Parish and wife Cassidy, Joshua Parish, Cheyanna Fields and Laranda Parish; her grandchildren, Emry Fields, Dontez Fields, Minco Fields, Da’Koda Parish, Kinsley Parish, Daxton Parish, Kyler Parish, Zoe Parish, Paislee Parish, Kael Parish, Laylen Parish; and her nieces, Karey Jane, Kayla Figuevoa, Nichole Jackson, CaSandra Bonham, Bobbie Sue Joslin, Norma Lynn Smith, Katie Stafford Andgelise Poole, Tristen Farrow, Sydney West, Rachel Baxter and Heidi Zimmerman; nephews, Kevin Parnosky and wife Cheslea, Cody Tucker, Nicholas Poole and Jason Poole; brother, Junior Parnosky and wife Carol; great-nieces and great-nephews, Tiffany, Brittany, Jacob and Jeremy Parnosky; and many other family members and friends.
Sandra was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy Sue Parnosky; father, Willie Parnosky; her siblings, Billie Poole, Karlata Jackson, Curtis Parnosky, Jimmy “Sonny” Parnosky, Norma Cawrse and Betty Hampton; great-nephews, Seth Joslin and Trenton Stafford.
Sandra will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to her family, her tribal community, and her church. Her compassion, strength, and generosity touched the lives of all who knew her, and her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those she loved.
She was a mother whose strength, tenderness, and love shaped everyone who knew her. She spent her life giving -through her laughter, her guidance, her presence, and the devotion she had to her children. She knew who she was and left an impact everyone she encountered. She instilled this sense of community within others. She talked with purpose and genuinely believed supporting them. She had a passion for helping people, knew how to communicate and exactly who to talk to when it came to those experiencing hardship. Her life was defined by resilience, kindness, and a love that made her children feel safe in a world that often isn’t. She faced her final days with courage, grace, and peace with family by her side. There is comfort knowing she is at rest, free of pain from this physical body, and will continue to live through each one of us with the same love she carried in life. She will always remain within us all, individually, and together.
