Clarissa Louise Pearson

Rev. Clarissa Louise Pearson was born on March 23, 1961 in New Haven, Connecticut, to Bunnie and Donna (Snipes) Staggers. She went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Clarissa attended Richard C. Lee High School, the University of New Haven, and Southern Connecticut State University. She was a dedicated educator, teaching primarily in the New Haven Public School System at Lincoln Bassett and Mauro-Sheridan schools. She also shared her love of learning with students at Living Word Christian Academy in West Haven.
Clarissa was a proud member of Chi Kappa Rho, a local sorority at the University of New Haven. She enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, walking, and shopping.
Her spiritual journey began at Maranatha Pentecostal Church under Pastor Willie Johnson in New Haven, CT, where she was ordained as a minister on September 8, 1993. In the mid-to-late 1990s, she joined Bible Gospel Center in Hamden, CT, under the leadership of Pastors John and Gwendolyn Good, where she found her final church home.
Rev. Clarissa Pearson leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Michael Pearson; two daughters, Tiara Pearson and Mikayla Pearson of Hamden, CT; mother, Donna (Snipes) Staggers; and their beloved black lab, Sadie Marie. She is also survived by her sisters, Leanor (Staggers) Hall (Danny) of Yalesville, CT and Sherry Staggers of New Haven, CT; brothers, Bernie Staggers of Wallingford, CT and Kevin Staggers of Hartford, CT. She will be deeply missed by her closest friends-whom she affectionately called her sisters-Kim Riley of New Haven, CT, Sharon Scott of West Haven, CT, Ericka Erkard of New Haven, CT, and Mary Miller of Danbury, CT; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
Rev. Clarissa Pearson was predeceased by her father, Bunnie Staggers; and her sister, Kim Staggers.
Her warmth, faith, and love for her family and friends will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew her.