Sophia Macris Alexandrides

Sophia Alexandrides, beloved wife of sixty-three years, passed away on September 5. Her husband Costas, a GSU professor emeritus, called Sophia “wisdom” by the Greek definition because of her motivation to help him complete his Ph.D. She was named Sophia because she was born on September 17, St. Sophia’s Day. They met at the Greek Orthodox Church, where her older sister played the organ and the two sisters sung in the choir. At GSU she was elected Ms. Signal, the university paper, for her popularity.

Sophia started her career as a fashion model at the Atlanta Fashion Academy. Her photos with designer dresses were published in both the Atlanta Constitution and the Atlanta Journal.

Sophia joined her husband at the United Nations in New York and in Korea during the Korean War as a volunteer for the YWCA. Her thank you letters to American donors of food and clothing packages contributed to the success of the program. She also interpreted from Greek for General Christeas of the Greek Expeditionary Force in Korea.

Upon her return to Atlanta, Sophia worked for the Aeronautical School of Georgia Tech and was proud of its growth and new name Aerospace Engineering School. She loved shopping at the Atlanta malls and was affectionately called the “candy lady” for passing out candy to the sales people of her favorite department stores. She subsequently worked for Governor Jimmy Carter in the Governor’s Office and campaigned successfully for his presidential election among the Greek-Americans. The Mayor of San Francisco, Republican George Christopher, was persuaded by his Greek-American friends to support Jimmy Carter and he campaigned for his successful presidential election.

She was a lifetime member of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Atlanta and participated in their social activities. Sophia is survived by her husband Costas Alexandrides, sisters Barbara L. Darby and Catherine Macris, and relatives from the families of Jim Likis of Birmingham and Dimitri Stappas of Atlanta. Sophia will be greatly missed and loved always.

There will be visitation and viewing Tuesday, September 8 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service at the H.M. Patterson and Son, Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Road, NE, Brookhaven, Georgia, 30319. 404-261-3510. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at 11:00 a.m. at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road, NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30329. 404-633-5870. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral or to Halcyon Hospice, 5411 Northland Drive NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30342. 678-717-0969.