Cerissa was born on Monday November 10, 1975 at 2:23AM at Booth Memorial Hospital in Queens, NY. She was the 1st born of Mercedes and the late Edward E Clarke. She was their pride and joy. Cerissa was everyone’s joy. Her aunt’s Rose and Geneva would take turns having her for the weekends. She was her late grandmother Cate favorite granddaughter. Growing up when Cerissa went to family gatherings, she would kiss everyone before she left. Cerissa had more friends than the law allowed. Cerissa and her brother Lance got their father’s socializing skills.
Cerissa grew up in Richmond Hill, Queens and attended St. Teresa of Avila School. At the age of eight years, she moved to Scotch Plains, NJ with her mom and brother Lance where she attended Terrill Middle School and graduated in 1983 from Scotch Plains Fanwood HS. Cerissa attended my alma mater, Pace University and later graduated from Goodwin College in Springfield, MA.
Her 1st child Kai Arlena Jacobs was born on January 5, 2001 and passed away on February 26, 2004. Kai was the joy to the late Avery and Cerissa.
Cerissa and Eric Collins married in May of 2013 and from that union they had two children, Leah Imani age 13 years and Eitan Josiah age 10 years. Eitan played football and was referred by his mother as Baby Fridge. I never realized how into football Cerissa was. Cerissa was glad when her sister Sherene gave her a niece Skyler and later her brother Lance and his wife Tamara gave her another niece Layla. Cerissa loved to sing, Ebony and Cerissa would practice on their singing career.
She will be missed by all her aunts and uncles; Rose, Geneva, Renee, Jean, Carmen, Geneva McCloud, Cheryl Dorman, Cheryl Murell, Pat, Paulette, Marlena, Joyce, Shirley, Linda, Rhonda, Peggy, Flowers, Connie and the late Gina Nieves. Uncles: Her mother’s brothers are all deceased.
The late Bernardo, Julian, Ricardo and Kevin Jr. Her remaining uncles are; Winston and Delano. She also referred to Mr. Woodton, the late George Irvin and Mr. McCloud as her uncles. Also surviving are her best friends; Ebony, Nadya, Tammy, Patty, Andrew, Rochelle, Kisha, Tisha, Daphne, and Maria (Mexico).
Cerissa had many friends. She loved each and every one of you and shared happy and sad memories with you.
Cerissa, leaves to mourn her mother Mercedes, Eric Collins, her children Leah Imani and Eitan Josiah, brother Lance and his spouse Tamara, nephews Jakai and niece Layla. In Laws; Mr. & Mrs. Levy & Ella Collins, aunt Lucille Byrd, Joanne, Jerome; Lashawna and her children Natori Collins and Jabari Cole. Sister Sherene and her spouse Runi, nephews KJ, Elijah and niece Skyler. Sister Audrey, spouse Tony, nieces Rene and Rena, brother Marcus and nephew Dmarcus. Cousins: Desiree, Bernardo Jr, LaTonya, Kevin Jr, Maliaka, Arisa, Nicole, Fakoya, Gregory, Debbie, Urline, Ohara, Subrina, Qianna, Valerie, Vivian, Casildo, Jessica, Willia, Deedee, Ayanna, Melissa, Rene, Rena, Ayesha and Kiera. Countless family members and friends also survive her.
Cerissa was ready, she fought cancer for six years. It was hard leaving her two children but she knew their father Eric would continue taking care of Leah and Eitan so she could rest. I also told my daughter that her battle was coming to the end. I will miss her and I didn’t want her to suffer anymore. My little giant is resting in the comfort of our Lord.