Obituary of Koula Eliopoulos Christoforos

Koula Eliopoulos Christoforos, 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of family. Born Vasiliki Grammenos, March 27, 1929, she will be remembered by most as a fiercely independent woman, who could bake and cook for anyone on demand, knit endlessly, dance whenever the chance arose, and remain active at church. Koula was born and raised in the village of Nigrita in Serres, Greece. During the World War II German invasion and the Greek Civil War that followed shortly thereafter, her life changed, as does much during wartime. In 1947 Koula married Efthimios (Timothy) Eliopoulos, a police officer from Pyrgos-Ilias in the Peloponnesos, who was charged with protecting her village during the war years. They lived in Lambeti, Pyrgos-Ilias, raising two sons- Dionysios & Christos. In 1967, Koula and her family came to the United States. Efthimios fell ill and died in 1969. In 1971, Koula would find a second chance at love and married George Christoforos. Together they enjoyed many years until his death in 1989. "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." Psalm 73:26. Her beautiful singing voice, and vibrancy will be missed. Preceded in death by her husbands; and brother, Theodoros; she is survived by brother, Pericles (Fani) of Thessaloniki, Greece; sister-in-law, Aneta (Spiro) Yatras of Akron, Ohio; sons, Saki (Nina) and Chris (Kathy); grandchildren, Julie (Tim), Anna (Lambis), Tim (Danielle) & Christopher (Lisa); 7 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 1 p.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthdox Church, 129 S. Union St. Akron, Ohio, where Koula will lie in state one hour prior to services. Rev. Fr. Jerry Hall officiating. Burial at Lakewood Cemetery in Akron, followed by a Makaria (Luncheon) at the church hall. The family will receive friends TODAY, November 13, 2012 at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. Akron, Ohio 44301, from 5 to 8 p.m. where a Trisagion service will be held at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Philoptochos of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Akron, Ohio. (Anthony, Akron, 330-724-1281, www.anthonyfh.com)