Dorothy Jean was the daughter of the late Helen Pettett Dixon and George Odes Dillard Sr. She was a graduate of Greenville High School and a lifelong member of Overbrook Baptist Church, where her faith and church family remained an important part of her life.
Dorothy Jean enjoyed a successful career in the jewelry business for more than 30 years. Outside of work, she was an avid Clemson Tigers fan and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on her beloved Tigers.
She is survived by her daughter, Denise Curry of Columbia; her daughter-in-law, Cathy Gravley Petropoulos; she was known as Yia-Yia to her grandchildren, Ashley Curry Adams (Jason), Lauren “Mills” Curry, Allie Petropoulos Anthony (Dustin), and Charles John Petropoulos (Shyann); and her great-grandchildren, Ella Hayer, Ivy Anthony, and Laura-Kate Anthony and extended family.
In addition to her parents, Dorothy Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny James Petropoulos Sr.; her three sons, Johnny James “Jimmy” Petropoulos Jr., Mark James Petropoulos, and Charles James Petropoulos; her brothers, George Odes “Butch” Dillard Jr. and Dickie Dixon; her sister, Gail Dixon Richardson; and her daughter-in-law, Lynn Ivester Petropoulos.
Services for Dorothy Jean will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026 at Overbrook Church 1705 E North St, Greenville, SC 29607. Visitation will begin at 12:45 pm followed by the funeral service at 1:30 pm conducted by the Rev. Dale Sutton. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Overbrook Church 1705 E North St, Greenville, SC 29607 in memory of Dorothy.
