Alyssa Ann (Geddes) Gilliam, a beloved wife, sister, aunt, theater enthusiast, and best friend to many, passed away unexpectedly on June 6, 2023 at the age of 45. Alyssa was born in Chickasha, OK to John Alan Geddes and Juliann (Jameson) Geddes on August 20, 1977. Alyssa’s older brother John – older by only 16 months, she would remind everyone – adored her. The Geddes family moved to a new home in Yukon in 1980, where Alyssa had an amazing childhood and school career.
Alyssa loved playing in the back yard with her brother and her friends, making mud pies in the playhouse her dad built or playing in the hot tub with as many kids as they could cram in before she got caught. Alyssa was an entertainer at heart and loved singing into her flashlight microphone for anyone and everyone, even getting her brother to join when she could. An avid supporter of her brother’s soccer journey, Alyssa’s family always knew she wanted to entertain and serve others. Alyssa found her own outlet with York Productions and nurtured a passion and skill for singing and performing. Alyssa graduated from Yukon High School in 1996 and embarked on a journey to obtain a Theatre Arts degree at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK.
On December 7th, 1996, tragedy struck the family when her dad passed away suddenly and without warning. Alyssa, known to her dad as “Jaws”, “Doll”, and “Princess” was truly a princess to her father, and his sudden passing was the start of a new course for her life. Alyssa pursued a food and beverage career that would allow her to entertain and serve others while staying local to be with her mom and her ever-growing circle of family and friends. That circle grew when her brother John married Kristin Jean Lawrence in June of 1998. Alyssa first became an aunt when John Collin Geddes was born in 2002, then again to Nathan Cale in December of 2004, again to Brittan Michelle in December of 2006, and yet again to Reagan Ann in December of 2010. Alyssa was an amazing aunt to her nieces and nephews and she was such an important part of their lives. Affectionately calling her “Sissie”, they always enjoyed their time with Alyssa and she became a very important part of their lives. Alyssa was not only an amazing aunt to John and Kristin’s children, but she was Sissie to so many others, whether kids of her friends or John’s nieces and nephews. She was everyone’s Sissie.
Alyssa’s food and beverage career took her to the Ranch Steakhouse as a hospitality professional, where she met the true love of her life, Justin Gilliam. Justin and Alyssa built a very strong bond over their passion for food, taking care of rescue dogs, and hosting events to shower friends and family with amazing food and Alyssa’s radiant presence. Alyssa and Justin enjoyed a long courtship, taking many trips to the West Coast to visit family, walk on beaches, and enjoy great cuisine. She was fully devoted to Justin, and they tied the knot on March 8, 2015, and cemented their forever bond. Alyssa’s passion for serving others was equally matched by Justin. This passion included Alyssa and Justin serving many amazing meals to their parents, and many holiday meals at her brother John’s house for their entire family. Alyssa’s legacy to her family will be the limitless time and unconditional love she dedicated to each one, and her amazing capacity to care more than any one heart could possibly hold. While we mourn her passing, we know that while she was here, she made each moment count and savored every second she shared with all of us. Alyssa brought light, life, and joy to every room she entered.
Alyssa is survived by her husband Justin Gilliam of Oklahoma City; brother John and wife Kristin; nephew Collin and wife Emily; nephew Nathan; nieces Brittan and Reagan of Edmond, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Alyssa is preceded in death by her loving parents Juliann (Jameson) Geddes and John Alan Geddes.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 19th, 2023 at 10 a.m. at North Church, 1601 W. Memorial Rd., Oklahoma City 73134. In her memory, please consider donating to the Pets & People Humane Society to support her passion for rescue dogs at hcps://bit.ly/42vovIN.
Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, OK.
