On a night when the moon was the brightest it had been in a while, cousin Dorothy Lyles, age ten at the time, prayed and wished for the safe birth of a little baby Clarisa. She was truly ecstatic with the birth of Clarisa Williams Giles, born almost breech, but safely turned, on January 14th, 1953. Clarisa passed as peacefully as possible with her ever-present sister, Robin Dease by her side. She was joined by her eldest daughter, Lillian Giles, just minutes after her passing.

Clarisa was the daughter of Barbara Ellie Nesbit Williams and Clarence “Tug” Beaty Williams. “Tug’s” mama, midwife Francis Beaty, was the one who spotted Clarisa heading into the world in such a daring manner, feet first. And Francis would go on inspiring Clarisa into the field of nursing. Clarisa attended Tuskegee University for her undergraduate degree and continued on at their nursing school. She graduated first in her nursing school class. Clarisa went on to complete an internship in a state hospital in Baltimore, Maryland and promptly returned to South Carolina to enter the workforce. Clarisa’s career expanded as she pursued an M.F.A., into the field of home-health nursing as well as nursing administration. She also spent time as an elementary school nurse.

Clarisa married her childhood sweetheart, Leslie Ranauld Giles. Although they later divorced, she is survived by him and their three children, Lillian Janique Giles, Leslie Giles Jr. (predeceased), and Lauren Clarisa Giles. Clarisa moved to Florida with Leslie where they raised their three children and spent their fair share of time at the beach. She also has three grandchildren, Kahmari, Kairos, and Lakshmi. Clarisa remained close to her immediate family, including her sister Robin, her brothers, and her mother Barbara.

Clarisa was blessed with a heart of curiosity and traveled extensively. She loved traveling with her sister Robin, or friends, but she didn’t hesitate in exploring other cultures all on her own. Some of the countries she visited included: Australia, Thailand, and Africa. She also made regular trips to San Francisco to visit her oldest daughter.

Clarisa accepted Christ at a young age, had a rich spiritual life as God’s servant, and believed in angels without a doubt. She was a faithful member of Macedonia Baptist Church during her youth, and First Baptist Church of Naples, while living in Florida. She also attended First Baptist Church of North Spartanburg after returning to South Carolina. In all the churches attended, Clarisa was a devoted member of the choir and often sang solos at her chosen church in Florida. She also participated in The Living Christmas Tree performances celebrating the birth of Christ for many years.

Those left to mourn her include: her sister, Robin Dease, who remained by her side through the almost seven years of Clarisa’s struggle to completely recover from bacterial meningitis. Her children, Lillian & Lauren. Her nieces, Amber Hawkins, Kaneisha Rakestraw, Sidett Richardson, Nyeisha Dease, and Tameka Evens. Her nephews, Quaylan and B.J. and a host of grand-nieces, grand-nephews, beloved cousins, friends, even more family, and a host of others.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC. Burial will be in the Heritage Memorial Gardens, Roebuck, SC.