Nellie G Kontogeorgis

Nellie Gaitanos Kontogeorgis Rhodes was called to her eternal home on Friday, the 12th of April 2024 after a lengthy battle with heart disease. A lifelong professional educator and educational consultant, she was also a beauty business owner and avid supporter and promoter of the Fine Arts.

Born on the 17th of November 1933 to Mr. and Mrs. George Nick Gaitanos, the third of six children. Nellie grew up and received her early childhood education in Laredo, Texas. She was a pupil at Holding Institute for one year and a member of the Girl Scouts. Her elementary and high school years were at Urusuline Academy, from where she graduated with honors. She received her B.S. from Texas State College for Women and Master’s Degree from T.W.U. in Denton, Texas. She was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi, a life member of T.S.T.A., and National Retired Teachers Association.

Nell was a Charter Member of the Houston Chapter of the Hellenic Professional Society of the United States and a member of the Achaia Chapter of the Daughters of Penelope AHEPA. She was very active as an officer, leader and volunteer in many organizations and clubs; the Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, Houston Opera, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Zoo and the Zoological Society and Friends of Bayou Bend, Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Nell was a world traveler, having traveled extensively to every continent. She loved dancing and was a member of the Lords and Ladies Dance Club, a member of the Venture Club, Petroleum Club Dance Club, River Oaks Dance Club, as well as member of the West Houston Crazy Red Hatters Chapter of the Red Hat Society. She was also very active in various Shriners organizations, including Houston Ransford Chapter 135 Order of the Eastern Star, Arabia Shrine Widows' Club, Shrine Hospital Volunteers. She was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dennis (Dusty) Rhodes, her brothers George and Nick Gaitanos, and her sister Angelica Selbe. She is survived by her two sisters, Rosalva Gutierrez of Fairview, Texas and Efrocine Gaitanos of Laredo, Texas, several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family extends their appreciation to Joan Brehm, Ria Foster and Joe Ramey for their devotion, time and care given to Nellie, as well as the medical staff at Memorial City Medical Center.

Friends are cordially invited to greet the family during a visitation at nine o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 26th of April, in the Chapel of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where the funeral service is to commence at ten o’clock, with The Rev. Cliff Ritter officiating. Immediately following, all are invited to join the family during a reception in the Hines Baker room.

An interment is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 26th of April, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Luke's UMC, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77027 or Shriners Hospital for Children by visiting online at https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/

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