2022 Black Heritage Calendar - Presented by the Black Educators' Caucus Inc., of Hernando County

Carrie Warren
1941-
Carrie Johnson Parker-Warren, a native of Ocala, Florida and the second of seven
children, is a 1958 graduate of Howard High School and exemplifies the best
of African American Christian values: faith, hope, work ethics, service, and
determination. Starting early in life, she has experienced success after success.
Carrie was an honor student who was active in extracurricular activities. She was
also a majorette, played the clarinet in the marching band, member of the dance
team, ran track, played basketball and tennis and sang in the school’s choir. She,
her mother, and sister were all crowned queens, Miss Paradise Park and she was
a member of the school’s homecoming court. The encouragement she received
from her family, teachers and community was instrumental in her winning a
scholarship to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She even visited
Tuskegee Institute (University) as a part of a science competition.
At FAMU, Carrie was as active at the university as she was in high school. The
physical education major was a frequent presence on the dean's list and found
time to be a cheerleader, participate in a dance group, archery, and the gymnastic
teams. Carrie pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, one of the Divine 9. Her sorority
brothers voted her Miss Phi Beta Sigma at FAMU. After college, she was hired at
Booker T. Washington High School in Inverness, Florida to teach middle school
science. There, she experienced another level of the cruelty of Jim Crow segregation
when she discovered that she did not have textbooks for her students, not even secondhand
books from White students. Her future husband, Leaman Parker loaned her some books and eventually won her heart.
They were married in 1965 and she became a member of the Moton High School staff in Brooksville. She taught science
and physical education at Moton, Brooksville Elementary, and Mitchell L. Black Elementary for approximately 15 years. She
moved to Gainesville in 1981 when Leaman retired. Along the way she earned a master’s from the University of South
Florida. She retired as an administrator at P.K. Yonge, a developmental research school, managed by the University Of
Florida College Of Education. Carrie retired in 1996.
Carrie was a founding member of the Black Educators’ Caucus Inc., of Hernando County. She is presently involved in many
organizations including Gainesville Chapter of the Links, Inc., Opinionated Ladies Book Club, and Excelsior Matrons, Inc. She
serves as a board member of Altrusa House of Gainesville (Daycare for seniors), Women’s Forum of Gainesville, Florida
Network, Black Caucus of Alachua County, Interested Women Involved in Various Endeavors of Society, and appointed to
the Stephen P. Mickle Planning Committee by the Honorable Stephen P. Mickle family. Hence, she was the first black
female chair of the Code Enforcement Board in the City of Gainesville. She worships at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist
Church /Greater Liberty Hill United Methodist Church. Carrie enjoys playing tennis about 4 times a week collecting
antiques, and gardening. She is the mother of one son, Scott L. Parker.
Sponsor: Scott L. Parker
"It does not matter how strong you opinions are, if you don’t use your power for positive
change, you are, indeed, part of the problem." Coretta Scott King