Phyllis Sylvester Gilliam

On January 26th 1955, in Mobile, Alabama, a light entered the world. A beautiful baby girl, with cinnamon skin and a radiant smile, was born. Her parents, Robert and Mozelle, held their daughter and immediately knew what a gift she was. They named her Phyllis.

Phyllis grew up in Alabama, amongst a family of eight children - 7 sisters and one brother. She attended St. James Major Catholic School and McGill-Toolen High School before pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Xavier University. It was here that she fell in love with theater and costume design. She later obtained a Master’s in this very field from the University of Houston.

Phyllis followed this passion to Los Angeles, moving there in the 1980s. Here she worked as a costume designer - and later a costume supervisor - for television production. Her career in the entertainment industry spanned 30 years and included productions like Just Shoot Me!, Role Models, and Agent Carter. Anyone who worked with Phyllis can attest to what a beautiful spirit she had - always the first to help others with a smile on her face, regardless of the circumstances.

While in Los Angeles, she met a man named Murray Gilliam, a charming personal trainer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He swept her off her feet, and on June 14, 1997, they were married. On December 8, 1997, they welcomed their first child into the world - a little boy named Robert, after Phyllis' father. Three years later, on December 12, 2000, they welcomed Susan, named after Murray’s mother. The Gilliam family built a life in the San Fernando area of Los Angeles, and spent 30 beautiful years together.

In 2024, Murray received devastating news - a stage IV cancer diagnosis. After almost a year of his treatment, Phyllis received the same diagnosis. They spent the next year and a half courageously battling this terrifying condition, their love growing stronger even amidst the uncertainty and sadness that follows this disease. Murray passed in January of 2026. At his funeral, Phyllis was handed a trifold flag - a military tradition. She held the flag close to her chest and gazed at the sky - “I got your flag, honey, I got it.” Two months later, Phyllis found herself in the ICU. Surrounded by friends and family who poured over her with love, reminiscing about their favourite moments with this beautiful woman, watching It’s a Wonderful Life - Phyllis's favourite movie. On March 23, 2026, Phyllis took her last breath. On that day, the world was a little bit less light.

Let’s remember Phyllis for what a wonderful spirit she was. A woman who was always ready to help others. A smile that could melt any heart. A compassion that persevered even through the deepest valleys of struggle. In a world of conflict and strife, we should all strive to carry a little bit of Phyllis in all of us.