Mary S. Pepps

The handmaiden of God, Mary S (Vathis) Pepps passed peacefully at home in the early morning on June 12, 2022, in New Orleans, LA. Mary recently celebrated a 104.5 birthday party at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in February. She was born on September 14, 1917, in Texarkana AR. She was the third of six children born to Jimmy & Photini Vathis who immigrated to the United Sates from Kranidi (Argos) Greece. Mary was the last living member of her immediate family. Her father was the owner of Jimmy’s, a downtown restaurant and ice-cream shop in Texarkana where Mary worked as a young girl. After receiving an Associate Degree, she went to work in the early 40’s (during WWII) for the government as a secretary at Red River Arsenal. In 1951, she married Stephen (Stavros) E. Pepps from San Antonio, TX, whom she met at an AHEPA Convention and moved to San Antonio, where she remained until 1998 (three years after her husband of 43 years passed). She was an active member of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church and was also, owner of Care-A-Lot Daycare Center.

In 1998, she moved to Lexington, KY to live with her daughter and family and became an active member of Panagia Pantovasilissa Greek Orthodox Church. She lived in Kentucky for 16 years before moving in 2014, with her daughter’s family, to New Orleans where she became an active member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Over the 104+ years of Mary’s life, she lived through and experienced so much of our country’s history and changes including the great depression and many wars. Mary had a very strong faith which sustained her. She loved the Lord and her Holy Orthodox Faith and had a servant’s heart. Her hospitality and love for others was very evident as her home was always a gathering place. She shared love with all whom she met and was very grateful for the love she received in return from others.

Mary was a loving spouse, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who though had a beautiful and long life, will be very missed. She leaves behind her daughter, Harriet (Rev. Father George) Wilson of New Orleans and son, Rev. Father Evangelos [Angelo] (Susan Fotopoulos) Pepps of Kalamazoo, MI. Five grandchildren, Marissa (Joshua) Cook in Spring Harbor, MI, Kleoniki Maria Wilson in Van Nuys, CA, Elia (Kyle) Reif in Okemos, MI, Despina (Paul) Murray in Brookline, MA and Stephen [Stavros] James Pepps in Phoenix, AZ. She also leaves behind six great-grandchildren: Kanella Susanna Cook, Martin Evangelos Cook, Lukas Renner Reif and Photini Hariklia Murray and two great grandbabies on the way from granddaughters Marissa and Elia. She also, leaves behind nephews Stephen (Suzie) Chapman and Jim (Inga) Chapman; Great nephews George (Lisa) Tullis, Barrett Broomas; great nieces Lisa (Tim) McCarthney, Elise (Ronald) Elkins; cousins Ellen Pepps, Margo Pepps, Peter Caporal and Georgian (George) Papadakos and their families; many godchildren including George (Elaine) Mozzakis and so many other koumbarous and dear friends. Thank you to Hearts of Hospice assigned to Mary and especially to Nurse Susan, also to Sasha Smith and all who attended to Mary including a couple of visits from the Sisters of Mary nuns.

Visitations and a Trisagion prayer service will take place at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1200 Allen Toussaint Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70122, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm followed by a Makaria (Mercy Meal). The funeral visitation and funeral will take place in San Antonio, TX at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 N. St. Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212, on Monday, June 20, 2022, beginning at 9:30 am with visitations followed by the funeral at 10 am. The internment will be at Mission Park Cemetery. A Makaria (Mercy Meal) will follow. The 40-day Memorial Service will take place at the end of the Divine Liturgy, Sunday, July 24, 2022, at Panagia Pantovasilissa Greek Orthodox Church, 3001 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, KY 40502 followed by a Makaria (Mercy Meal).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, New Orleans, LA; Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, San Antonio, TX; Panagia Pantovasilissa Greek Orthodox Church, Lexington KY, and/or Share the Faith Ministries (Orthodox Missionary Priests’ Fund for America). May Mary’s Memory be Eternal!