Clarissa Baker, 64, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.

Clarissa “Clar” Baker, born April 13, 1962, to Mr. Jessie James Kennedy and Ms. Lucrecia Baker Cunningham, departed this life on May 3, 2026, in Charlotte, NC.

Clarissa graduated in 1980 from Independence High School in Charlotte, NC. She worked at Atrium Health (formally CMC/Mercy Hospital) and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center as a secretary throughout the 80s and 90s.

Clarissa pursued higher education at Central Piedmont Community College, studying as a paralegal. Clarissa had several places of employment in the years following, including being a caregiver for EVERYBODY’S kids. Clarissa worked as a Direct Support Professional for adults with intellectual developmental disabilities. For the past 8 years, she worked at RHA Health Services, providing care for 6 ladies whom she adored.

Clarissa’s greatest accomplishment was raising two children who she was very proud of. She taught them how to love, how to give, how to believe in themselves, how to work hard, how to treat others with respect, and most of all, how important it is to have a relationship with God.

Clarissa was one of the most kindhearted people you’d ever meet. She’d give you the shirt off her back and stand in the cold if it meant you were going to be warm. There’s rarely a person who knows her whom she didn’t help in some way. Clarissa was positive, upbeat, and knew how to hold a conversation. In fact, quite often, she had to get the last word!

Clarissa was preceded in death by her mother Lucrecia Cunningham and her grandparents Jesse and Viola Kennedy, and Luzetta Hamilton Baker. She leaves to cherish her memory, her father Jessie Kennedy (Shirley Ann Kennedy), her brothers Robert Cunningham (Nicole Cunningham) and Frederick Kennedy (Renee Kennedy); her sisters Vanessa Cunningham and Sheila Kennedy-Nash (Floyd Nash, Sr.); her children Sheena Baker (Sanchez Mercer) and Shamari Baker (Shaunda Baker); her grandchildren Shamara Baker, Shauna Baker, Shakur Baker, and Ivan Mercer; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

The family acknowledges with grateful appreciation your kindness, generosity, thoughts, and prayers. We ask that you continue to lift us up as we mourn the loss of our beloved family member.