George S. Stathakes

Stathakes, George, long time Restaurant owner and local business man, has passed away after a brief illness on August 8, 2013. "Little George" was a well known fixture in the Five Points area during the sixties and seventies. He co-owned and operated two popular Birmingham restaurants, The Coffee Cup and Hickory Hut, with his business partner George Pantazis for almost 20 years. Always the consummate restauranteur, "Little George" never forgot a face or an order!

In his retirement years, George worked with his family in Gardendale. It was at Our Place that he became "Pops" to everyone who walked in the door. Again an iconic enduring fixture at his place behind the cash register.

George's love of his life, was his wife, Vangie. When she became ill, he took on the task to care for her, until the burden became too much for him alone. His devotion to his wife Vangie was unwavering, even until the end of his life. The love he felt for his children and grandchildren and their well being was ever present in his heart. In his final days, his concern for his family took precedence over his own declining health. "I don't want to leave you." he would say. You could never leave us Pops.

He will forever be remembered for his generous heart and soul.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Evangeline Grammas Stathakes; son, Stephen George Stathakes (Evelyn); daughter, Dianne Guthrie (Clarence); grandchildren, George and Adamantia Stathakes, and Anne Marie and Caroline Guthrie; sister, Constance Katsakos; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jan Vantrease.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, with burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 5:30 until 7:00 PM at the church, with a Trisagion to follow at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral or a charity of your choice.