Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 15, 2024

HUNTERSVILLE – Panagiota Dounis passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024.  She was born in Viotia, Greece, and from a young age, she selflessly put others first.  Trained as a cosmetologist, she became the top hairdresser in her village.  When she wasn’t cutting hair, she worked the olive groves with her father and sisters.  In 1964, at the age of 24, she left Greece to start a new life in America, where she met her future husband, Bill (Vasili).  They married and settled in the suburbs of Detroit, where Panagiota trained as a seamstress and found work at General Motors, sewing seat covers and door interiors.  She also continued to do hairdressing at home for family and friends.  Despite her busy schedule, Panagiota always considered herself a homemaker first, fully devoted to her two children, her husband, her parents (who followed her to America), and her in-laws, ensuring that everyone was well-fed, cared for, and happy.

Each day, Panagiota rose at 4 AM to prepare for work, ensuring that a warm, home-cooked meal was ready for the entire family when she returned.  When her grandchildren, Vasili and Christina, came into her life, her devotion to them grew even stronger.  She made sure to provide their favorite foods, well-tailored clothes, and, above all, an abundance of love.  Despite living in Michigan and they being in North Carolina, Panagiota never missed a birthday, name-day, holiday, Greek school event, or graduation.  This immense devotion grew even stronger with the arrival of her great grandchild Dimitrios, re-igniting her boundless love and dedication.

One of her most cherished memories was when Vasili and Christina each had summer internships in Wyandotte.  She relished the months they spent living in her home, and those times became some of her happiest moments.

While Panagiota was an exceptional cook, she was especially known for her baking.  Her koulourakia were world-class and in high demand from anyone fortunate enough to taste them.  In addition to koulourakia, her baklava, melomakarona, kourambiethes, and diples became famous in the Greek community.  Within this community in Detroit, she was the “go-to” pastry chef for weddings and baptisms.  But these sweet treats were not limited to special occasions; anyone who stopped by her home—whether planned or unannounced—was always greeted with a huge welcome and an assortment of freshly baked goods.

Panagiota’s home, hospitality, and heart were always open.  Visitors often claimed to be “in the neighborhood” and would stop by to enjoy her warmth and generosity.  There was no greater joy for Panagiota than hosting, and her home was rarely without visitors.  She made everyone feel welcome, and at Panagiota’s house, everyone felt at home.

The greatest testament to Panagiota’s spirit, however, was her unwavering devotion to making others feel as part of her family.  Her greatest satisfaction came from helping others—whether through mentoring, offering advice, praying for them, or feeding anyone in need.  Above all, she offered unconditional love, opening not only the door to her home but her heart as well.  She always had food to offer, a warm embrace, and a place to sleep.  She did this hundreds, if not thousands, of times.

Many people—whether family, friends, or strangers—still consider her their second mother.  This was Panagiota’s lifelong mission, one that brought her immense happiness, fulfillment, and a deep sense of accomplishment.

When Panagiota was not at home, you would find her either in Church or attending service at a Monastery.  She was a devout Orthodox Christian attending church every Sunday and every occasion, whether at St. George in Southgate MI, St. Nicholas in Domvraina, Greece, Mokaraiotissa Monastary in Domvraina Greece, Monastary of Holy Trinity in Port Huron MI, Holy Trinity Cathedral in Charlotte, NC, or Pangia Pammakaristos in Lawsonville, NC.

Panagiota is survived by her husband, Vasilios of 60 years; her son, Dimitris (Effie); daughter, Georgia (George); grandson, Vasilios (Allison); granddaughter, Christina; great-grandson, Dimitris; sister, Matina in Greece; nephews, Panagiotis Pelonis (Maria), Dimitris Dounis (Vasiliki), George Kandrevas, Louie Raptis (Brenda), Gus Raptis (Debbie), Jim Raptis, George Mytilinaiou; nieces, Helen Mclean (Brian), Maria Pelonis, Aleka Tsilikas (Kosta), Mina David (Dan), Aspasia Mytilinaiou, as well as several cousins in the US and Greece. 

Funeral Services and interment were held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the Panagia Pammakaristos Monastery in Lawsonville, NC.

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.