Lisa Louisa Bryan

Bryan, Lisa Louisa (Vela) February 4, 1966 - May 30, 2017, age 51 On the morning of May 30, 2017, Lisa Bryan departed this life while in the company of her beloved husband, Stephen Bryan, at their home in Woodbridge, Virginia. Born in Miami, Oklahoma on February 4, 1966 and a proud member of the Muskogee Creek tribe, she was the daughter of the late Nakomis Iva Fixico-Vela, the younger sister of Scott Vela of Shelbyville, Texas and the late Kathy Sue Hamilton of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Lisa joined the U.S. Army in May of 1986. At the time of her death, she was assigned to the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia. She was a recognized subject matter expert within the Army National Guard in the areas of data automation processes, social media and recruitment marketing. During her 31 years of military service, Lisa attended Warrant Officer Candidate School and earned an appointment as a warrant officer and attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five on April 27, 2017. She was the first Native American woman to achieve Chief Warrant Officer Five in the 380-year history of the Army National Guard. In 2010-2011, Lisa deployed with the 2/34th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Bagram, Afghanistan where she served as the Officer in Charge of the joint visitor bureau and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs. Lisa loved her deployment assignment as it gave her the opportunity to bring some fun and reminders of home to the thousands of military members her office served. In her free time, Lisa enjoyed traveling with Stephen, attending the University of Oklahoma football games, fine and adventuresome dining, fitness and playing with her dear miniature schnauzer, Scout. Lisa is survived by her best friend and husband of 19 years, Stephen Bryan, her brother Scott Vela (Joanne), her aunt Becky Yearby of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, her stepchildren Susan Bryan Sparks of Fort Worth, Texas, Stephen Boyd Bryan of Norman, Oklahoma, and Kathleen Bryan (Barbara) of Oklahoma City. She is survived by one granddaughter, Miss Molly Sparks of Fort Worth, Texas. She leaves behind too many friends to count and seemed to always have a friend in whatever location she found herself. Lisa Louisa Bryan was a radiant, positive, spiritual soul and very special person. She was truly beautiful both inside and out. Her memory will be carried forever in the hearts of all who were blessed to have had the opportunity to know her. A celebration of Lisa’s life will be held on June 2nd, 2017 at 3:30 PM in the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel, in Arlington, Virginia. Funeral service and interment with full military honors will be at 10:00 AM, June 7th, 2017 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 202 North 3rd Street, Okemah, Oklahoma, Chaplin Brad Hanna officiating. Interment at Castle cemetery following service. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Okemah, Oklahoma.