Clarissa Ann Nelson Mrs.

Clarissa Ann Nelson May 26, 1953 – January 2, 2016

Clarissa Ann Nelson, 62, of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away January 2, 2016. She had been battling cancer since September. Clarissa was born May 26, 1953 in Rio Grande City, Texas to her parents Romeo and Mildred Saldana. She attended the Immaculate Conception Catholic School and high school at Rio Grande City High School before moving to San Antonio, TX, where she graduated from Providence High School. Clarissa began college at St. Mary’s in San Antonio before graduating from the University of Houston with a degree in languages. Clarissa worked at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Washington, D.C., where she met her husband, John. They were married May 20th, 1978, at St. Matthews Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX. John and Clarissa moved to Knoxville, TN in 1982; and then to Frankfurt, Germany during 1986-1990 before settling in Georgia in 1990. She obtained her Masters Degree in Education from North Georgia College in 1998. Clarissa retired from a wonderful career in education in 2014; teaching, placing newly immigrated families in the Gwinnett school system, and teaching English to new residents of Georgia over the last few years before her retirement. Clarissa also volunteered at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lawrenceville, where she was a devoted parishioner for over 25 years. She loved cooking and good conversation, and spending time with friends and family. Clarissa also loved writing, often sharing favorite quotes or passages she’d come across. She also loved travelling with her husband and family, especially travelling throughout Europe during her time in Germany. She is remembered by all whose lives she touched as a beautiful, vibrant, and free spirit who elevated and inspired those around her. She is loved, and will be missed with every sunrise and sunset, and with all the beauty in between. She is survived hy husband, John William Nelson; her two sons, Alex Robert Nelson and Garett Romeo Nelson; Garett’s wife, Kathryn Alison Nelson; her grandchildren, Payton Jillian Nelson and Connor William Nelson; her mother, Mildred Saldana; and aunt, Lenora Mallison. A memorial mass in Clarissa’s honor will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 1:30 pm at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 319 Grayson Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, 770-963-8992. If desired, contributions to her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” - Indian proverb