Alissa Smith Lilly

Alissa Smith Lilly, aged 58, of Oxford, Mississippi died peacefully on December 3, 2025 at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, surrounded by love and family. Alissa was born and raised in Jackson, MS, the eldest daughter of Patricia and Skip Smith.

Alissa endured a 5-year battle with Stage 4 lung cancer and had recently fought her way back from sepsis when she developed complications. She was a fierce and brave warrior, not only in her battle with cancer, but in her pre-cancer life as well. She was a defender of the defenseless, whether it was an injured animal, a coworker, a friend, or a complete stranger. She was a true healer who impacted everyone she met, who was generous with her love and could always be depended upon to know the right thing to do or say in a tricky situation. Playing scrabble with her was always a lesson in humility and it would not be surprising for her to bring a wounded squirrel to work. She was highly intelligent, fiercely independent, deeply compassionate, and the life of the party.

Alissa grew up in Jackson, MS and graduated from Jackson Prep in 1985. She graduated with a Psychology Degree from Ole Miss in 1989, Summa Cum Laude and winner of the Taylor Medal in Psychology. She spent many years in social work, from soup kitchens to being a house mother for troubled boys in San Rafael, CA. For ten years, she was the primary caregiver for her parents as they simultaneously were diagnosed with dementia. More recently, she loved working at Square Books as the bookkeeper and mother hen to many young employees through the years.

When diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, she was originally given just a few months to live. She did not give up. She immediately underwent full brain radiation and went to MD Anderson to participate in a clinical trial for her specific genetic mutation. She overcame her fear of flying by forcing herself in a little Angel Flight Cessna to Houston for treatment. She fought with insurance companies for coverage and meticulously managed all aspects of her own healthcare. She went to every appointment, specialist, and scan unless the nausea was too immense. Despite the cancer, she travelled to Cyprus three times and Sardinia. She lived and loved. She would get sick, sleep two days, and recover just in time to make a dramatic appearance dressed to the 9’s and ready to dance all night.

Alissa is survived by her husband of 26 years, Bill Lilly; her loving pets, Hilde, Monkey, Buddy, Lily, and Mr. Pickles Jr.; brother, Carlton Smith, sister, Tricia Maloney (Mark), brother, Andrew Smith (Lainey); cousins, Amy Fowler (Donald) and Melissa Prunzik; Mother-in-law, Connie Lilly (Tom); brother-in-law, Jerry Lilly (Mimi); sister-in-laws, Rebecca Smith and Carolyn Lilly-Wilson (Sean); aunt, Annette Lawrence, uncle, Tom Lawrence (Karen Sprague), and aunt Kathy LaLonde (Wally). Unable to have her own children, Alissa appointed herself the second mom to nieces and nephews, J. Carlton Smith, Brawner Smith, Nash Smith, Callie Maloney, Mitchell Maloney, Hoyt Smith, Ben Lilly, Luke Lilly, Lucy Lilly, Echo Lilly-Wilson, Sophie Lilly-Wilson, Presley Fowler, and Waide Fowler. Alissa’s notion of family was far reaching, and included countless beloved cousins, relatives and dear friends beyond this list.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to one of several non-profits that were meaningful to her: Angel Flight Inc., 12345 East Skelly Drive, Tulsa, OK 74128 , Nine Lives Cat Rescue, P.O. Box 2006, Oxford, MS 38655, North Mississippi Animal Rescue (Sardis, MS), Sale Trice Lilly, Sr. INSPIRE AWARD, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655, or CaringBridge.

The memorial service will be held on Monday December 22, 2025, at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with The Revs. Wally and Kathy LaLonde officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.