Elaine Matalas Michaels

July 3, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Elaine Matalas Michaels passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, July 3, 2023.  She was born on November 4,1935 in Vandalia, IL to the late Constantinos (Gus) Matalas, and Mary Komnenos Matalas.

Elaine and her family moved to Henderson, NC where she graduated from Henderson High School in 1952.  She then attended Queen’s College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English.  Elaine was a well-respected teacher for over forty years with the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools.  While teaching, she earned a Master of Education post-graduate degree at Belmont Abbey College.  She was a dedicated educator who was beloved by many of her students.  Nothing made her happier than having former students contact her to say what an impact she made on their educational journey.

Elaine will be remembered as an active and dedicated member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral where she was the Director of Religious Education.  She wrote and published several books on the Orthodox faith.  She was also an eager and regular volunteer each year at the Yiasou Greek Festival.

Elaine is survived by her daughter, Teri Michaels; son, Charles Michaels and his wife, Michelle; two granddaughters, Caitlin and Allison Michaels, all of Charlotte.  Also surviving are her sister, Penny Matalas Manuel; sister-in-law, Stella Dross Matalas, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Basil Charles Michaels and her brother, Nicholas Constantinos Matalas.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 PM on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Internment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the wonderful nurses and doctors at Atrium Health Pineville, and the dedicated nurses at VIA Health Partners.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Elaine to Queens University, Attn: Queens Fund, 1900 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28274 or Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203.

May Her Memory Be Eternal.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Dianne A. Leventis

    So sorry to hear of your Mother's passing She was a lovely lady and she rest in peach
    Dianne

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  • Teresa Winchester

    Mrs. Michaels was my English and Journalism teacher at Cochrane Jr. High in Charlotte, NC -- one of the many new schools that were popping up all over Charlotte in the '60s. She had so much energy and enthusiasm and was a true lover of knowledge. And she was just plain smart! I remember a field trip to The Charlotte Observer, where, I think, we met Kays Gary, the popular columnist for the Observer for whom she had so much admiration. When I was nominated for Student Council president, she devised a campaign song for me to the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies theme. When, as a real dark horse, I managed to win, she took me and my campaign manager Chip Cranford out to a steak house and then the see "To Kill a Mockingbird" -- a profoundly affecting movie. It was Mrs. Michaels who convinced me to take French rather than Latin, thus determining to a large extent my life's path. Good-bye, Mrs. Michaels. You made a difference.

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  • Barbara Armstrong Bell

    Mrs. Michaels is one of the reasons I became an English teacher. She was my eighth grade English teacher at Cochrane Junior High in 1963. She took a real interest in me, helping me to overcome my anxiety about public speaking. She was special.

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