Alisa Faye McChriston

Alisa Faye Gunn McChriston, 71, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Born prematurely on July 17, 1954, in Flint, Michigan, to Arevene and Alfred Gunn, Alisa entered the world with the same tenacity that would define her life. The family soon returned to Memphis and settled on South Parkway East, where she grew up as the eldest of three, forming deep and lasting bonds with her twin brothers, Raphael and Ronald, and a wide circle of friends in the South Memphis community. It was there she first met William McChriston, whom she affectionately called her “brother” throughout childhood. Their friendship blossomed into a loving marriage in 1992 that endured for more than twenty years until his passing in 2005.

A tomboy with a vibrant spirit, Alisa attended LaRose Elementary, Hamilton Middle and High School, where she developed lifelong friendships and a deep pride in her Wildcat heritage. Her mother, an educator, instilled in her the value of learning and discipline. Equally important was her faith. Baptized at Parkway Gardens Presbyterian Church, she later became a longtime member of Castalia Baptist Church. Her relationship with God remained steadfast throughout her life, and she served as a spiritual mother to many.

Alisa’s passion for the arts, particularly ballet, began in childhood under the instruction of Roberta Radcliffe at Parkway Gardens and continued into adulthood. She passed this love of music and the arts to her only son, William III, honoring a promise made with his father. Known for her courage, warmth, and unwavering faith, Alisa mothered and mentored countless people, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William McChriston, her parents, Arevene and Alfred Gunn, and her brothers, Raphael and Ronald Gunn. She is survived by her son, William III of New York, her dearest friend Charlotte Guy of South Carolina, many godchildren, cousins, and a legion of friends who will always remember her as an angel on earth.