Theresa Korkmas

Theresa E. Korkmas, 87, of Alvin, Texas, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, surrounded by her devoted husband and children. She was born on November 23, 1931 in Tyler, Texas to Sam J. Eltife and Eugenie K. Eltife. She graduated from John Tyler High School in 1949 and studied business at Tyler Junior College before marrying the love of her life, George F. Korkmas, on June 22, 1952. Together they raised five children in Texas City and Alvin. In later years, they enjoyed travel, including a most beloved trip to Lebanon, the birthplace of their parents. She and George were devoted members and officers of the L’Entasar Club of Houston. Theresa was also a member, past treasurer, and past president of the Ladies Charity Club of Houston. In 2016, Theresa and George were honored by St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital with the Lifetime of Service Award for their commitment to St. Jude, a cause that they have been involved with since the late 1960s. In her spare time, Theresa enjoyed sewing, decorating, cooking, and especially collecting recipes. Friends and family were always happy to enjoy her homemade Lebanese food. She also really enjoyed buying and giving gifts to the “little kids”. She will be remembered by her family as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers-in-law, Gerald Schroeder, Anthony Kamel, and Joseph K. Korkmas, Jr.; her sisters-in-law, Christine K. Lee and Ann Korkmas Sears, her nephews, Ronald Kamel and Steven Kamel. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, George F. Korkmas; her children, Deborah Korkmas of Houston; Mari K. Whiteman and husband, Ben, of Weatherford, Texas; Sam Korkmas and wife, Cylena, of Alvin, Texas; Carol K. Gartside and husband, Stan, of Spring, Texas; and Alan V. Korkmas of Houston; her sisters, Dolores E. Kamel of Houston, and Mary Ann Schroeder of Windthorst, Texas; sister-in-law, Judy K. Korkmas of Wylie, Texas; six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express its sincere thanks to the doctors and medical professionals at the Mark J. Hausknecht, MD, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at the Debakey Heart & Vascular Center of the Methodist Hospital for their kind and compassionate care of Theresa during her illness.

Services will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite Catholic Church, 11935 Bellfort Village Dr., Houston, Texas 77031 as follows: Visitation: 5:00 – 6:30 pm

Rosary: 6:30 – 7:00 pm

Mass: 7:00 pm

A private burial will be held on Friday, February 1, at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite Catholic Church, 11935 Bellfort Village Dr., Houston, Texas 77031; St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Ladies Charity Club of Houston, c/o: 6450 Olympia Dr., Houston, TX 77057.