I do not remember the first time I met Clarissa Brown but I do remember she made me feel as if I was an old friend. With her warmth and approachability, Clarissa has never met a stranger.
At 31, Clarissa was a Vascular Sales Rep. On one Oct. 8, she drove to Gainesville to Wiley Black’s office, bringing with her some surgical equipment to show off and Dominoes Pizzas. Immediately, the people in the office started quizzing her about her life, being single, etc. While she was in the office one of the nurses called their new single doctor, Pepper Brown, who was at the hospital, and told him to hurry over. That’s how Clarissa and Pepper met 32 years ago. They met that day, he called her that night, proposed six months later, and they were married in August of the following year!~Brad Abernathy
We want to thank Clarissa for spending time with us recently and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.
Question: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Answer: “I’m married to native Gainesvillian, Dr. Pepper Brown, who I lovingly say ‘saved me’ from my hometown of Atlanta 31 years ago, when we married. We were blessed to have three children, in less than three years!
“Our daughter Parrish, lives in Gainesville, married to her Georgia Tech sweetheart Chris Hoag. She is a GHS grad, full-time artist and a fabulous mother to our two granddaughters, Adair and Callan.
“Our daughter, Logan, GHS and UGA grad, lives in Atlanta, and is the Digital Marketing Manager for Graco Children’s Products.
“Our son, Pep, a GHS and Wofford College grad, is a dentist, completing his orthodontic residency in Birmingham and will marry his college sweetheart, Cate Griffin, in April.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “El Tepache, Sweet Magnolias, and Alpha Gyro Grill are all fabulous!”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: “Our handyman, James Wojcik, a former roadie for Pink Floyd and a devout Catholic, who truly has a servant’s heart.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “To our mountain getaway, ‘The Nest,’ because it’s paradise to me!”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “Our family home movies!”
Q: What advice would you want to give or leave with people?
A: “We don’t choose how we die, but we CAN choose how we live!”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “The Red Shoe House on Oak Street. Gainesville’s so lucky to have them!”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “My favorite author, Charles Martin, because I love the way he eloquently describes the small things in life. Two Dog would be my choice for lunch with him!”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community? And secondly, what is something you hope our community has or does in the future?
A: “How the majority of Gainesvillians strive to make this community a better place, now and for the future! I hope the Midland Greenway continues to develop in a positive way.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A: “Enjoying retired life with my husband.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To watch my young granddaughters learn to snow ski.”
Q: And, what is something you have been proud to check off your bucket list?
A: “That I’ve learned to snow ski, as an older adult!”
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Andrea Bocelli is a favorite.
Q: In hard times we can sometimes see and recognize greatness in those around us. Hard working. Positive attitudes. Helping on the front lines. Who is one of our local shining lights today?
Lindsay McCamy, founder of Family Promise of Hall County. She is truly inspirational!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Our honeymoon spot, Virgin Gorda, BVI
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My birthday month, March.
Thanksgiving.
Our wedding anniversary, August 24.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Being married to Pepper.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Frazier Fir….and garlic!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My amazing children.
