Despina "Delores" Kleoudis Pappas

Despina (Delores) Pappas, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, fell asleep in the Lord on March 4, 2026, in Houston, TX. She was born on the Greek island of Patmos, Dodecanese, Greece, on April 21, 1932, and immigrated to the US in 1934. She is preceded in death by her husband John Dan Pappas. Also preceding her in death were her parents, John and Margaret (Miaoulis) Kleoudis, and her sister Eva Kalogeras.

She is survived by daughters Viki (Nick) Moustoukas, Margaret (Jerry) Minetos, son Dennis (Chrysanthie) Pappas; grandchildren Diana (Brian) Peterson, John (Diana) Moustoukas, Rev. Fr. Athanasios (Nicole) Minetos, Paul (Demitra) Minetos, Despina Minetos, Elizabeth (Wiley) McCoy, John Dennis Pappas; and great grandchildren Mary, Nicole and John Peterson, Katherine and Alexandra Moustoukas, Melani and Iosif Minetos, Panagiota, Loukia and Gerasimia Minetos. She is also survived by sister Mary M. Verges; nieces Margaret Michalopulos, Johanna Pappas, Denise Lloyd; nephews Monty Kalogeras, John Kalogeras; and grandnephews Constantinos (Denny) Michalopulos, Michael Michalopulos, Yianni and George-Michael Kalogeras.

She was married to her beloved husband John for only 23 years. After his death, she focused her love and attention on her three young children. She assumed the responsibility of providing for them and ensured they completed their education. Simultaneously, she managed the family restaurants in Hempstead, TX: Famous KC Steak House, Rustic Oak Restaurant and Yiany’s Pizza.

Through her unwavering Orthodox Christian faith, she served in various capacities in Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Philoptochos Society (Friends of the Poor), and Kali Parea Fellowship Ministry. She was a member of St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church, Lazybrook Civic Club and a Charter Member of the Hellenic Cultural Center of the Southwest. A 50+ year member of Daughters of Penelope Achaia #54, she was an advocate for safe affordable housing. Through her involvement as a Charter Board Member/Honorary Board Member of Penelope 54 Apts., she proudly witnessed the development of Phase I and II (HUD). She received Chapter National Penelope of the Year and District #16 Daughters of Penelope Daughter of the Year Awards. She was proud to attend the Reagan High School 65th Class Reunion. Despina delighted in watching the Houston Astros become Word Series Champions in 2017 and 2022.

Despina had a deep love and patriotism for the United States. She was a devoted City of Houston civil servant. Her love of nature made her conscientious about preserving the environment for her grandchildren. She was an extremely talented cook and baker who was a gracious host in her home and her restaurants. She was an eloquent writer and nurse to her entire family. Always elegant and meticulous, she was self-reliant and could fix anything. With her strong character and value system, she set a high bar for how to lead a righteous life.

The family truly appreciates her compassionate caregivers: Miryan Lopez, Laura Aleman, Erica Arriola, Arianna Lugo and Arely Martinez, and all the dedicated physicians who attended to her for many years.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, with the funeral service beginning at 10:30 AM.

Clergy from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral will be officiating, along with her grandson, Rev. Fr. Athanasios Minetos.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Holy Trinity Cathedral, New Orleans, LA, “In memory of Despina K. Pappas”, 1200 Allen Toussaint Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70122.

May her memory be eternal +