Katherine "Kay" Parslow Harris

Katherine “Kay” Parslow Harris, 64, entered God’s loving arms on Saturday, October 31, 2026, after dying peacefully in her home surrounded by family. After a long battle with cancer, she has experienced complete healing through death and resurrection. With her sweet faith, loving heart, and generous spirit, Kay made a deep impact on her family, her family of faith, and her ever expanding family of friends.

A celebration of Kay’s life will be held on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, 719 Mulberry Street, Macon, Georgia, with the Rev. Jack Varnell, Rev. Payton Stone, Dr. Derek McAleer, and Dr. Laudis “Rick” Lanford officiating. The family will greet friends in the church parlor from 12:30 p.m. until the service begins. A private burial will follow at Honeycreek Woodlands Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Wesley Glen Ministries, 4580 N. Mumford Road, Macon, GA 31210, or Heart of Georgia Hospice, 103 Westridge Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088.

Born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Kay was the daughter of the late Thomas Richard Parslow and Betty Swette Naylor. She was nurtured much of her young life in the home of her Grammy, Mary Ardis Swette. It was there that she learned the importance of faith, affection, and caring for others. Her love for the church began in First Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. During high school she met Jay Harris, and they eventually married after dating five years. During their courtship, not long after her high school graduation, Kay was diagnosed and treated for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She emerged from that experience with a calling to be a nurse. Her career as a registered nurse spanned thirty-five years in hospitals and jobs in Albany, LaGrange, Conyers, Macon, Columbus, Sandersville, Brunswick, and Macon again—wherever Jay was sent in ministry in the United Methodist Church. Her nursing career was more than a profession; it was her own calling and expression of her caring spirit.

Kay’s love has always drawn people to her. Thoughtfulness, affection, and encouragement radiated from her. She was a treasured aunt, cousin, sister, and daughter in her and Jay’s families. She connected in a special way with her nursing co-workers in every place she worked. Her ability to develop meaningful relationships was displayed beautifully in the Church, whether it was among people in the congregations she was a part of, or Jay and Kay’s ministerial family (ordained and lay) drawn from the United Methodist Connection. She bonded easily with people spanning the generations, including those much older than her in her earlier life and young adults in her later life. Kay claimed the adult friends of her children as family. “Family” in Kay’s big heart also grew to include those who live on the campus of Wesley Glen Ministries in Macon, because of how much she loved this incredible ministry, and because she is “Aunt Kay” to her beloved Austin and Jon who live there. Her circle of friends was large and varied. Wherever life has taken Kay, she has made the people around her feel loved and valued. She was a friend, mentor, and nurturer to so many.

She loved to bring people together and excelled in hospitality and creating loving environments and moments for others. A beautiful example of this came about when she and Jay, as early empty nesters, chose to become an American family to young women who came from China to teach in Macon. As a mother, Kay could imagine what their mothers back in China must have felt with their daughters so far away. She wanted to offer these women connection and support. She and Jay were later invited to meet their families in their hometowns. Her relationships with Ying and Ran, especially, continued, and she is “Nai Nai Kay” to their children.

Kay cherished Jay and their children. Kay and Jay were true companions and partners in life, whether it was sharing in the life of their churches, enjoying their friends, playing games at home around their table, or traveling together around the country and beyond to China, Italy, and Australia. Wherever Jay and Kay went, Kay brought the fun. Above all, Kay cherished being mother to Josh, Sarah, and Rebecca. She took great pride in them and treasured every opportunity to share in their lives, accomplishments, journeys, and special moments. When they each found “their person” (Shaina, Marcus, and Tristen), her heart immediately grew and took in her new children. If you joined Kay’s family, you were family and your other family members became family, too. Kay seemed to be uniquely destined and made for the role of “Grandmama.” She said many times that her two grandsons, Oliver and Roman, were her heart.

Kay's life was a beautiful reflection of faith and love in action. While her passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of those who loved her, the many lives she touched will continue to bear witness to the goodness, grace, and compassion she shared so freely. Kay’s family will forever be grateful to the many people who cared for her during her illness, including healthcare professionals, Heart of Georgia Hospice team members, countless prayer warriors, neighbors, family and friendship support, and Kay’s dear nursing friends who could support her and speak the same medical language with her during her journey. We deeply appreciate the care her sister, Julie, gave her in assisting Jay in her final weeks.

Kay is survived by her husband, Jay Harris, of Macon; her children, Joshua (Shaina) Harris of Snellville, Sarah (Marcus Porcaro) Harris of Melbourne, Australia, and Rebecca (Tristen) Webb of Decatur; her cherished grandchildren, Oliver Quill Harris and Roman Joshua Harris Porcaro; her siblings, Terri (Gene) Clark, Julie Parslow, Richard (Donna) Parslow, and Kelly (Don) Peyton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Bass Road, has charge of the arrangements.