Georgia Athanasios Nikolis Dennery was born on April 26, 1928 in Glossa, Skopelos, Greece. Growing up, she & her family worked very hard on their land tending to the olives, cherries, and figs. Additionally, they grew grapes and pressed them into wine for the townspeople. Georgia enjoyed school, singing, and reciting poems. She still remembered many of the songs and poems she learned in her childhood. In her early teens, she was apprenticed to become an incredible seamstress, began her own business, and trained others to do likewise. She attended the local church regularly with her family; her faith was her true foundation. Georgia was loved by everyone because she genuinely cared for and loved people.
On January 28, 1954, she married Charles Alexander Dennery whose own father, Alexander (Alex) John Dennery grew up in Glossa. Prior to returning to America, Charles & Georgia visited the Rock of St. John (the church in the popular movie, Mama Mia). Charles carved their initials in the back door of the Church, and this has remained there to this day. It was here that she and her sister would go and light candles and pray. This rock, like her faith, was strong.
Since Georgia didn’t speak English, she was tutored in English. She loved watching the “I Love Lucy” shows as part of her ‘English studies’, and no doubt, added to her already great sense of humor. Georgia was thrilled when she scored 100% on her written driving exam.
The couple settled in Jackson, MS to join the family as owners and operators of one of Jackson’s finest, the Rotisserie restaurant. The Rotisserie was Home of the Kum Bak dressing originally created by Charles’ parents, Alex and Nettie Dennery. As they began their family, Georgia’s time was divided between home, work, and Church until the restaurant closed. Georgia continued to dedicate her time and love to her family and reaching out even more to do what she could to help others. She enjoyed baking Greek sweets, sewing (making each of her grandchildren quilts), and serving her beloved Church in every way possible.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Athanasios & Mahi Nikolis; her husband, Charles; her siblings, Fani Nikolis Antoniou and Nick Nikolis. She is survived by her children, Alex Dennery (Suzanne), Nettie Brown (Mitch), Andrea Thorn (Jim), Debra Joiner (Richard), and Iwanna Barbee (Bob); her grandchildren: Douglas Roberts (Meredith), Nicholas Brown (Lisa), Lindsay Riddell (Scott), Claire Ann Johnson (James), Christina Thorn, Anna Thorn, Alexandra Wills (Frank), Aimee Dennery, and Christopher Brown; and great grandchildren: Taylor & Cooper Riddell, Carter Walker, Alexander Brown, John Lawson Wills, Emma & Addy Roberts, Rylan Johnson, & one more Brown on the way.
Please know all the love, prayers, and care given to our beloved Mama and YiaYia were deeply appreciated.
We are so thankful to St Joseph Hospice; her physician, Dr. Michael Hogue and NP, Amanda Purser; Sta Home Health; Castlewoods Place Memory Care staff, caregivers, nurses, and therapists.
Georgia left us on August 10, 2019, age 91. In life, she placed God and her faith first, and God honored her in so many ways. In Greek, she would often say, “We came, we saw, we left.” Then she would add, “That’s life! Take it or leave it!” May her memory be eternal.
Visitations and funeral will be held at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Clinton, MS .Visitation will be held on Monday, Aug. 12, 5:00 – 6:00 PM and Tuesday, Aug. 13, 10:00 – 10:30 AM, Funeral, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 10:30 AM and Burial Service at Lakewood Memorial Park
Mercy meal to follow at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church; please stay and share your fond memory of her with us.
Memorials may be made to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, 414 E College St, Clinton, MS 39056, or Holy Trinity St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, 5725 S Pear Orchard Rd, Jackson, MS 39211.
