Services for Phyllis Lillard will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Southwest Church of Christ, Ada, Oklahoma with Brian Lewis and Ron Stough officiating. Burial will follow at Swan Hill Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 PM on Monday, May 19, 2025 at Criswell Funeral Home, Ada, Oklahoma. A celebration of her life will be held at Eastside Church of Christ, Duncan, Oklahoma Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 12:00 noon.
Phyllis Kay Lillard passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the age of 86. She was born on September 14, 1938, in Allen, Oklahoma, to Harold and Beatrice Hutcheson Hammonds. Phyllis led a life full of love, service, and devotion to her family and her church.
On February 19, 1958, Phyllis married the love of her life, Wayne Lee Lillard, in Ada, Oklahoma. For more than 36 years, their marriage was a testament to commitment, faith and partnership until Wayne’s passing in 1994. As lifelong members of the church of Christ, they were active participants in their congregations in Ada (Southwest) and Duncan (Eastside). Together, they built a loving home where family and faith were at the core of everything they did.
Phyllis graduated from Duncan High School after attending Allen Public Schools through her sophomore year. She dedicated her professional career to shaping young minds at Homer, Francis and Duncan Public Schools. Teaching, mentoring and even being the “lunch lady”, she loved her calling.
Her love for sports was evident in her passion for OU football and softball plus her beloved OKC Thunder. But her sports passion grew exponentially when her kids, grandkids and great grandkids were playing.
Above all, Phyllis’s greatest role in life was being “Meme” to her grandchildren. She never missed a game, recital or event until such time when her health prevented her from attending. She was the first to cheer, always on their side. If the call went against her “kids” then the referee, umpire or judge was obviously wrong and heaven help the coach that pulled them from the game!
Phyllis leaves behind a vast trove of love, integrity and faith. She had an unmatched love for her family, all her family. She cherished God and His Son, mirrored by her limitless love for her church family.
Phyllis is survived by her son, Bob Lillard and wife Stephanie; her daughter, Tami Day and husband Tom; two grandchildren, Cory Lillard, Caris Mendez and husband Myles; three great-grandchildren, Madilyn Mendez, Max Mendez and Oliver Lillard; one sister Wanda Halcomb plus a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Lillard; a son Bill Lillard; one grandchild Caitlyn Lillard; her parents Harold and Beatrice Hammonds as well as four siblings.
Honorary pallbearers are Tom Day, Myles Mendez, Kelly Hertzler, Richard Barrett, Brett Barrett and Jeffery Lillard.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
