Carson City, NV - Sarah Merebeth Harrelson

Sarah Merebeth Harrelson, 49, of Carson City, Nevada passed away at home on August 15th, 2025.

Sarah was born in Warren, Ohio to Dennis and Carol Harrelson on August. 19th, 1975. She graduated Jefferson Area High School in 1993, earned Bachelor in Science at Kent State University, and completed a Master's in Plant Biology at Ohio University in 2005.

During her time at Ohio University, Sarah met her wife, Cynara M. Medina. They married in 2013 in New York City, after the Supreme Court repealed the Defense of Marriage Act, opening the door for federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

Sarah's love of nature shaped both her life and her career as an environmental consultant. She had a deep passion for native plants, learning to identify them everywhere she went. Her knowledge was extensive, honed through years of outdoor exploration and professional botanical surveys, with a special focus on rare, threatened, and endangered species protected under state and federal law. Yet her most cherished experiences were early on in her career, at the Wayne National Forest, where she designed and performed experiments and was involved in habitat restoration and invasive species control.

Sarah was an artist, who was able to combine her training as a scientist with her boundless creativity. She experimented constantly with tie dye, natural dyes, felting and other crafting projects, sharing the results with family, friends, and online communities. She was also generous with her knowledge, often answering questions about tie dye techniques she researched, used, and perfected.

Over the years, Sarah and her wife moved all over the United States, living in Southern Ohio, San Antonio, Texas, and eventually in Carson City, Nevada, where she finally fulfilled her lifelong dream of buying a home.

Sarah is survived by her wife Cynara M. Medina, her brother Eric Harrelson, and her parents, Carol and Dennis Harrelson.

Memorials and condolences can be sent to Sarah's parents at 65 East Ashtabula St. Jefferson OH 44047. Donations in her memory can be sent to the Holden Arboretum