Farrar was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, USA, on 10 January 1909. Her parents were George Deffibaugh and Josephine James-Thomas. She had two older half-brothers: John and George Thomas, and one sister, Irene. She has lived in the local area all of her life. She graduated from Wiley High School in 1926.

At some point she got married, but had no children.

In 1974, she retired from General Housewares Corp. (Columbian Enameling & Stamp Co.), after almost 48 years of service. She was a member of First United Methodist Church from 1960-2000 and then a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. Her sister Irene Bowman (1904–2003) lived to be 99.

Farrar died in Terre Haute, Indiana, USA, on 19 February 2019 at the age of 110 years, 40 days.