Joel O'Brien Harris Clarkson

Born June 27, 1926, she was a lifelong resident of New Orleans, residing there until relocating to Pass Christian, MS. In 2010, she moved to Christwood, where she resided for the last 16 years.

She was the daughter of the late Cecil Foley O’Brien and Austin A. O’Brien. She attended Newcomb and Tulane University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity, and where she met her first husband, the late Trion Tate Harris. After his death, she married her second husband, the late William “Bill” Clarkson, III.

She is survived by her four daughters, Randall Ann Harris, Lynn Harris Horgan, Carol Harris (Bob Berg), and Joel Harris, DDS; three grandchildren, Trion Porter Horgan (Staci), Katherine Horgan McConnell (Taylor), and Ryan Harris Berg (Nicole); and seven great-grandchildren. Also considered as family were her second husband Bill’s children, Rev. William Clarkson, IV (Lucille), Jonathan M. Clarkson (Tonya), and Caroline Clarkson White.

Joel enjoyed playing bridge, reading, sewing for her daughters and grandchildren, and doing crossword puzzles. Joel was loved by all who knew her and was especially well known at Christwood for riding her scooter and blowing kisses to everyone.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the skilled nursing staff at Christwood and the Notre Dame Hospice for their exceptional care during the past 11 months.

A private graveside service will take place at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum in New Orleans.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joel’s memory to the Christwood Foundation, 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington, LA 70433 or to the charity of your choice.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit LakeLawnMetairie.com