Nina Jean St. Clair

Nina Jean Fussell St. Clair died peacefully at 6:05 a.m. on December 22, 2017, at the age of 88. Jean was born in Greenville NC, Pitt County, on December 3, 1929, the daughter of Johnnie Andrew Fussell and Sarah Tripp Fussell. She attended Greenville city schools and moved to Rocky Mount, NC, in 1943, where she continued her schooling and graduated from Rocky Mount High School in 1948. She was employed by First Federal Savings and Loan Association, which became United Federal and then First South bank in Rocky Mount. She held the titles of Assistant Secretary - Treasurer, Head Bookkeeper, and New Employee Instructor for over sixteen years. She left when she married Grover Hubert “Bill” St.Clair of Welsh, Louisiana in 1963. They were married for 48 years when he passed away on February 2, 2011. She is also preceded in death by her father in 1995, her mother in 2001, and her sister, Carrie Fussell in 2016. Bill retired after 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. Jean accompanied him on his state-side tours of duty. Their last transfer was to California, where Jean worked for Bank of America. She was acknowledged as an outstanding employee and awarded many honors during her banking career. She was featured in a Bank of America video for initiating help for fellow bank employees who were flood victims in the north central part of California in the mid-eighties. She retired from Bank of America in Anaheim in 1988 as a Senior Customer Service Officer for the Orange County Region, where she was a New Accounts and Investments Instructor. After retirement, they returned to Rocky Mount, NC, where they made their home. In 1998 she began a career with the Nash-Rocky Mount School System as well as the Rocky Mount Academy, in a substitute teaching position, filling long-term assignments. She left this position in 2006, due to Bills declining health. She was a charter member of the Tar River Connections Genealogy Society and served as secretary until the flood of 1999, resuming this position in 2013. She and Bill were one of the many families in Rocky Mount who lost their home in the flood. Like her co-workers in California, she was now on the receiving end of help from friends across the country as well as family members. She liked history and enjoyed working on her family tree. This was something she had a great passion for. She liked to read, write, teach, and travel. She also liked to walk on the beach as well as attend sporting events and the performing arts. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and devoted friend. She tried to leave the world better than she found it; she always looked for the best in others and gave the best she had. Like most true Southerners she never met a stranger. She will be remembered by many for making a difference in their lives and by her charitable gifts. She joined her husband in his endeavors to help fellow veterans and their widows in securing their VA benefits. She kept in touch with family and friends from coast to coast. All she did was accomplished by her faith in God. Cry, be sad, but at the end of the day look up to heaven and smile because you know that is where she is. It is well; the will of God has been done. This was not her home, she was just passing through, but she will be missed. Jean is survived by three daughters; Ramona Farias and her husband Michael of Hemet, California, Cynthia Thaning of Hemet, California, and Michelle Blethen and her husband, Philip of Wilmington, NC, six grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren, all of California and Texas. Other surviving relatives are brother, Kenneth Fussell and wife, Faye of Ayden, niece, Ellen Fussell Policastro and husband John of Raleigh. She is survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins, and many treasured friends. A viewing will be held at Johnson Funerals Cremations, located 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC. on January 5, 2018 between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. In celebration of her life, services will be held at the Rocky Mount Memorial Park, Mausoleum on January 6, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Dr. Jody Wright of Lakeside Baptist Church, where Jean was a member since 1958. She was a Sunday School teacher in the Grace Bible Class. The family will receive friends after the service in the mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakeside Baptist Church and Disabled American Veterans. Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home Cremation Services, 661 English Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com. Visitation Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services 661 English Rd Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> (252) 937-8886 --> | Friday 1/5, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Service Location Not Available Saturday 1/6, 1:00 pm