Penelope Andres Vletas

The spirit of Penelope Andres Vletas departed this world on Sunday, September 3, the day of our Lord’s resurrection. Born to Speros and Kaleope Andres, in Galveston TX, the family soon moved to New Orleans La. where faith in God and strong ties to the Greek Orthodox Church shaped and defined this close-knit family. While practicing for the State doubles tennis championship (which she and her partner won,) she caught the eye of James George Vletas, a Texas engineer working in New Orleans. After a whirlwind courtship, they married in December 1950, and moved to Austin TX where Jim would pursue law school. They later moved to Houston where Penny cared for the kids and was active in their activities; but, once they were out of elementary school, she quickly earned her real estate brokers license and established her own company, which she would maintain for over 30 years. Over the years she demonstrated her leader-ship skills by serving as president (or its equivalent) of Houston Board of Realtors, Philoptochos, Church Women United, Eastern Star and Daughters of Penelope. The birth of her grandchildren opened a new chapter in her and Jim’s lives. Along with entertaining the little ones, during this time she read and reread her father’s precious prayer books, sang in the church choir and volunteered at Tracy Gee Community Center, leading 100s of seniors in aerobics and strength training twice a week until her late 80s. Throughout her life she wrote poetry, which she would share in Christmas and Birthday cards. There is no doubt this 5-foot crackerjack lived life large, making use of every moment and making hundreds of friends along the way. She leaves us to join her parents, husband, sisters Elizabeth, Georgia and Pat, brother, James, son, George William, and brothers-in-law, Nick Andrews and Pete Vletas (Martha). Left behind are her devoted daughter and son-in-law, Katie-Pat and John Bowman, precious grandchildren, James G Vletas and Mary Catherine Vletas, sister-in-law, Helen Andrews, nephew and godson, George Andrews, nieces Cannell Dillard, Nikki Stanley, Debra Mashburn, Donna Peters and Julia Wood, and nephews Speros Andres and Frank Andres, and a host of friends that loved her dearly. The family is grateful for the loving care of Angela Johnson, Breana Tucker, and Yvonne Maxwell, who, among others, assisted Penny in her final year. Visitation will be from 4-7pm, with Trisagion ser-vice at 6:15pm, Friday Sept 8, 2017, at Forest Park Lawndale in The Chapel of Angels. Funeral Services will be at 11am, Saturday Sept 9, 2017, at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church, 1100 Eldridge Parkway. (Please consult appropriate maps for available routes). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Hurricane Harvey Relief fund of your choice or to St. Basil the Great GOC.