Lisa Gail McKee, 62, of Granite City, Illinois, was born July 29, 1963. The baby of the family of 7. She met most of them again for the first time in a while on October 1, 2025. Lisa joined our heavenly Father and her earthly parents, Gladys and Clarence Whitford. Also, there were her 3 older brothers, Eddie Whitford, Brad Whitford, and John Whitford.
Those of us left behind to miss her like crazy include the love of her life for 43 years, Willard McKee, her “Dear.” Her 2 daughters, Abby (Michael) Brame and Melissa McKee (Joey Garrison). The light of her world and her “Peanut,” grandson Brycen Garrison. Her only remaining sibling, sister Janice Harris. A parade of nieces and nephews, so many of whom she held a special bond with.
Lisa leaves behind a legacy of joy and just good clean fun. You would commonly find Lisa not acting her age. From attempting to snowboard for the first time and breaking an ankle at 43, or jumping out of a perfectly good airplane for her 50th birthday, and seriously, what kind of 60-year-old has a balloon animal artist at her birthday party? She was always the one who would shrug her shoulders and say, “I’ll try it.”
Between work, church, and anywhere else she went, Lisa could always be found wherever the kids were. Lisa recently celebrated her 20th year working with Riverbend Head Start, and anyone who knew her knew she had a passion for kiddos.
What we want people to remember more than anything about Lisa is her love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She would want nothing more than for every person reading this to join her in heaven one day.
We know she wouldn’t want us to end with anything other than her favorite Bible verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
In celebration of her life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. where funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025, with Pastor Keith Braddock officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon. Memorials may be made to Riverbend Headstart and may be accepted at the funeral chapel. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.irwinchapel.com.
