We know she was welcomed into Heaven by all the pets she loved before, Mocha, Peanut, Bruno, Mina, Sancho, Spanky, Dexter, Mia, Zula, Gus, Zoey, and even Kai the bird, as well as sweet Nanny. We only wish we could have seen how happy they all were to greet her!
Lyla was born on March 10, 2000, in Charlotte, NC. She was destined to be a “drama queen” from day one as she was named after a soap opera character (Lila from As the World Turns). She was also named after one of the attending nurses in the hospital, Rose. Lyla Rose- a beautiful name for a beautiful baby girl.
Lyla had so many interests and talents throughout her short life. She was a skilled softball player for many years. She was an artist who loved all forms of art, but especially painting. So many of us have “Lyla originals” that she painted and gifted us for Christmas and birthdays. Lyla was a gifted flutist and singer all throughout high school. Lyla also performed in several musicals for the Children’s Theater. She loved fashion and make up, and even saw her own original designs “walk the runway” in several fashion shows while in high school. Lyla graduated from Northwest School of the arts in 2018.
Lyla was a lover of all animals. She was the best cat mom to Mango, her pride and joy. She also loved and cared for Woody, Gene, and Tank (all dogs). We know one day Lyla will be ready to greet each of them when they join her in Heaven! Her favorite animal of all was the elephant.
Lyla was a hard worker who enjoyed her job at Goodwill Industries. Her customers will miss seeing her bright smile at the checkout counter each day.
Lyla was an incredible friend. She always sought out those who needed someone on their side. She rooted for the underdog and did all she could to help those in need of a friend.
Lyla was a devoted daughter and granddaughter. She often surprised her mother at work, with a bouquet of flowers in hand or lunch. She spent so much time with her Nana and Pappy, playing board games and putting puzzles together. They were all so proud of the young adult she was becoming.
Lyla was the best big sister. Her first stop after buying her new car earlier this year was to pick up her little brother from school and take him to the mall. She loved taking Eli places and always picked up the phone when he called, no matter where she was.
Lyla loved God. She was active for many years in the youth group at Mosaic Church and served as a volunteer in the children’s ministry. She spent several summers volunteering for the summer art camp. She even loved God so much, she was learning Spanish so that she could understand the sermons at a new friend’s Spanish-speaking church.
Above all else on this earth, Lyla loved her family. She would never miss a family event, and the McDermott’s host a lot of events. Bills games, beach vacations, and birthday parties- you could always count on Lyla being there.
Lyla was preceded in death by her grandfather, Donnie Wise; her great uncle and great aunt, Gerry and Lynette North; and her “bonus grandparents,” Novella and Sylvester Hamby. She is survived by her mother, Jennifer McDermott; father, Travis Wise; two brothers, Ian Wise and Elijah Hamby; sister, Abby Wise; grandparents, James and Sheree McDermott; grandmother, Jo Ann Wise; great-grandmother, Joan North; uncles and aunts, James and Kristina McDermott, Ben and Kelly McDermott, and Adam and Lindsay McDermott; cousins, Ben McDermott, James McDermott, Max McDermott, Weston McDermott, Jake McDermott, and Josephine McDermott. She is also survived by her close “bonus family,” including Jonathan Hamby, Jeff and Jeannie Hamby, Janet and Mark Grant, Makayla Pope, and Noah Hamby. There are many other loving relatives in Niagara Falls, NY, Buffalo, NY, and Lenoir, NC.
A visitation for Lyla will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Forest Lawn West, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208, followed by a funeral service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to icuTalks, a mental health ministry that was very important to Lyla.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnwest.com for the Wise family.
