Anessa Rae Thompson

The world dimmed and the heavens brightened with the passing of Anessa Rae Thompson, 52, on January 11, 2022. Daughter, sister, aunt, friend and teacher, Anessa touched many lives in her few years. Born in Houston, TX in 1969, Anessa graduated from Westbury High School and the University of Houston, later moving to Austin to be closer to her family.

Daughter to Bob and Sandra Thompson, Anessa captured the best traits from both of her parents. From her dad, she gained her keen sense of humor and easiness with people. Tenderness of heart she shared with her mother. From both, she gleaned a dedication to hard work and improving the world around her. She put everything and everyone ahead of herself and was one of the most selfless people her friends and family have ever known. Her world was fueled by her generosity of heart and spirit.

Anessa and her sister Alica shared an uncommon bond, a closeness in adulthood rivaled by few. “Auntie Nessa” to Hayley and Roman Harrison, Anessa swooped in, scooping them up when they were young and entertaining them as they grew to adulthood. She loved them as her own and they blossomed under her love. They will always cherish the time they spent in her care and company.

Her family will mourn her loss all the days of their lives.

But perhaps her greatest role was that of a teacher. For nearly 30 years, Anessa touched the lives of hundreds of “her kids”. Teaching was a calling to Anessa, and her kids flourished in her classroom. She was so proud of them, often following their accomplishments through high school and beyond. Anessa was cherished and loved by so many parents and students because she cherished and loved them. No child ever went hungry or felt unheard if Anessa was around. She fed them, encouraged them, embraced them. In the harrowing face of a pandemic, Anessa guarded her kids from the world and nurtured their minds and souls.

She could also tell hilarious stories about them. She was always one of the most entertaining people in the room. A great storyteller, Anessa could spin even the mundane into the hilarious. She shared classroom stories with her family, bringing rolling laughter. And was often known to play pranks on her colleagues at work, livening up their workplace in unexpected ways. She will be so very missed.

Anessa is survived by her mother, Sandra Thompson; sister and brother-in-law, Alica and Tom Harrison; and her niece and nephew, Hayley and Roman Harrison; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is preceded in death by uncles John and Joe Thompson and her father, Bob Thompson, who most certainly welcomed her into the gates of heaven.

Visitation: Wednesday, 1/19 at 5:30 – 7:00 pm at Cook Walden Capital Parks, 14501 N. IH 35, Pflugerville, TX

Graveside Service: Thursday, 1/20 at 1:00 pm at Forest Park Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX

Memorial Service: Saturday, 3/12 at 1:00 pm at The Rabb House, 151 N. AW Grimes, Blvd., Round Rock, TX