Bess E. Vieron

In addition to her great love for her immediate family, Presvytera Bess had two great passions. One was her zeal for teaching the Greek language to the youth of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church located at 573 N. Highland. The other endeavor to which she was greatly devoted was her career in nursing.

Presvytera Bess’ role as Greek School Teacher was chief among the many ways she served the Annunciation parish. She embraced this role upon her arrival in Memphis in 1955.Her service lasted for a period which spanned the last five decades of the 20th century. Each of her pupils remembers well her strictness tempered by a gentle and loving spirit. She considered them all to be her children. None of them will forget her insistence that they “talk to the clock” when delivering a graduation speech or performing in a Greek School play. She loved her students.

Bess Vieron also loved nursing. She did much more than dispense meds and make rounds. Mrs. Vieron was helpful and considerate with her coworkers and displayed great compassion for her patients. It was not until 1967, at the age of 40, that she embarked on the program of studies which led to this vocation which brought her such great satisfaction. She spent the first 16 years of her nursing career at the old Baptist Hospital located in downtown Memphis. She worked another 25 years at the nursing home of Trezevant Manor. She displayed the same dedication to nursing that she displayed to her family, extended church family, and Greek School students.

Presvytera Bess is preceded in death by her parents, Apostolos and Artemis Efantes, and by her brother, Charles Efantes.She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Fr. Nicholas L. Vieron, pastor emeritus of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, her two sons Paul and Lee (Beverly), and her cherished and much-loved daughters, Ann and Joan. Her beloved grandchildren are Nicholas (Ariana), Matthew, Stephanie Vieron Leary (Kevin), and Vasiliki. Her four treasured great grandchildren are Sophia Kali Vieron, Luke Vieron, James Leary, and William Leary. Her God daughter, Elaine Kevgas, held a very special place in Bess’s heart and she loved her brother’s children, Denise and Charles.

Mrs. Vieron’s last few challenging days were made easier by the inspired team of Crossroads Hospice. Her family is, of course, grateful for her devoted care giver, Mona Blocker, and to the many fellow parishioners who displayed their love for Presvytera in a myriad of ways. She and her family were particularly blessed by the visit of her pastor, Fr Simon Thomas, who anointed her for spiritual healing

and prayed the special prayers that The Church provides for the last days and hours.

MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL.