Dorothy Athena Sawyer

Dorothy Athena Bellos Sawyer was born in San Antonio, Texas, on April 20, 1937, to her Greek immigrant parents, Photios P. and Afrodity V. Bellos. She was raised in a loving home with her parents, grandparents, siblings and an uncle. Dorothy graduated from Brackenridge High School, where she was a proud member of the Purple Jackets Pep Squad. She then attended Trinity University, where she fell in love with the handsome quarterback, Roy Sawyer. She was voted “Most Representative” and enjoyed her time in the Spurs Sorority. After graduation, Dorothy married Roy, the love of her life. She started teaching first grade in San Antonio ISD and started teaching Sunday School at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. After teaching in public school for a couple of years, Dorothy decided to be a stay-at-home mom and concentrate on raising their two daughters, Cynthia, and Patricia. Roy was a high school teacher and coach, and Dorothy was his biggest supporter. She faithfully attended all the games and events that he coached, bringing the girls along, as well. For 25 years, Dorothy was the consummate coach’s wife, cheering on the Fox Tech Buffaloes and the Robert E. Lee Volunteers and was a loving mentor to young coaches’ wives as their husbands began their demanding careers. Dorothy loved sports, so it was a perfect fit. She even served as President of the Coaches Wives Club of San Antonio (Co-Wi). After the girls were grown, Dorothy worked in the retail industry for over 35 years.

Dorothy loved spending time with her girlfriends from church by playing Bridge every Thursday for over 45 years. She even set a trend with them by introducing them to her signature nail color, Cajun Shrimp, and many followed “suit”.

Throughout the years, Dorothy’s true passion was teaching the word of God to the youngest children. For 62 years, she taught preschoolers about Jesus, God, and the church. On her 50th year of teaching Sunday School, she was awarded the Medal of St. Paul, the highest honor bestowed upon a lay person in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and the parish honored her by naming her classroom – “Miss Dorothy’s Classroom.” She was also involved in the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, the Daughters of Penelope and Kappa Phi. Every fall she supported the church’s Greek Funstival, by making loukoumades, that were loved by everyone.

Dorothy always had a smile on her face and lit up any room she entered. Her love and laughter will be greatly missed. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life and brought her tremendous joy.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents Elias and Efrosini Varessis, her uncle John Varessis and a brother James F. Bellos. She is survived by her daughters Cynthia Asvestas, and husband Greg, and Patricia Economides; grandchildren Stephanie West, and husband Matt, Matthew Asvestas, and Anastasia, Nicolette, and Alexandra Economides; great-grandchildren Maggie, Thomas, William and Mary Catherine West; her brother and his wife Jack and Mary Jane Bellos and her sister Helen Nikolas, along with numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren. We want to thank Dorothy’s caregivers over the past few years, who tirelessly attended to her needs.

The family will receive friends beginning at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at Porter Loring Mortuary.

TRISAGIONWEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 20246:30 PMPORTER LORING MORTUARY1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE.

FUNERAL SERVICETHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 202410:30 AMST. SOPHIA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH2504 N. ST MARYS

Rev. Thomas Newlin, Rev. Dan Suciu of San Antonio, and Fr. Michael Lambakis of Houston will officiate. Interment at Mission Burial Park South will follow the Markaria luncheon in the Mangos Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in her memory to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 N. St. Mary's Street San Antonio, TX 78212-3799, or to a Charity of your choice. For those who cannot attend, the service will be broadcast live at www.stsophiagoc.org.