Georgia C. Kokolis

Born on December 6, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Georgia was preceded in death by her husband, Panagiotis Kokolis of Limnos, Greece. She is survived by son George Kokolis (Rosalind) of Houston, Texas and daughter Marianthi Hayden (Gavin) of Birmingham. “YiaYia” has four grandchildren, Alexis, Christine (Arthur Davis), Stephanie (Shawn Schmidt), and John (Olivia Cissell); as well as seven great-grandchildren, Archie, Annie, George, Peter, Jay, Sophia, and Charlie. During her life, she was able to hold, touch, and be with all seven great-grandchildren.

Georgia is also survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, a first cousin, and many who adopted her as their YiaYia.

Georgia was one of six children born to immigrants of Limnos, Greece. Prior to marriage, she worked as a seamstress to help the family during the Depression in addition to working at Whitman Chocolates.

Georgia’s fondest work memories were years as a pharmacy technician at Musselman Apothecary in Philadelphia. That experience had a significant impact on her life. Later, she joined Marianthi with a part-time job at Strawbridge and Clothier department store. YiaYia loved fine china and this was her dream job. Not surprisingly, she won salesperson of the month multiple times and enjoyed adding dishes to her personal collection.

At 105, the events that occurred during Georgia’s life are too many to name. More importantly was the life she lived. She was called to serve others. She never asked why or “what about me?” She served with a warm heart and smile because that’s what she was called to do.

YiaYia was generous. She didn’t grow up with material wealth but what she had she gave without hesitation. One of her sayings was “keep your mouth shut and your pocketbook open.”

YiaYia was humble and selfless. It was never about her. A common refrain from people she met was “she always asked about me and my family.” She loved family and friends. She loved her husband of over 50 years. She loved her son and daughter and felt blessed to not only love her grandchildren but also their children.

The greatest gift people gave YiaYia was time. She genuinely enjoyed every minute with her family and friends. The homes in which she lived were always filled with abundance, joy, activity, and love. Even at the end, she warmly welcomed and embraced everyone who visited her. We are excited for her new adventure where she will see, hear and walk freely.

Georgia C. Kokolis will have a private ceremony in Pennsylvania. There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, November 14, 2025 at The Club in Homewood, Alabama from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be a gathering of all her favorite things, family, friends, coffee, donuts and chocolate (and maybe her famous orange juice).

There are too many people to thank who touched YiaYia’s life. She loved to thank people. At the end, she would want to thank her UAB care team led by Marianthe Grammas, MD, the angels at Grandview Hospital, and Grayson K. Rodgers, MD, and Todd Brazil of Alabama Ear Specialists.

YiaYia’s final wishes would simply be to pray for and serve others. Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it.”