Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 31, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Bessie (Vasileia) Vlahos Holevas fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, October 31, 2025.

She was born in Lamia, Greece to Demetrios and Maria Vlahos on September 15, 1929.  After graduating from Theleon High School, she worked in an attorney’s office in Lamia.  She married her beloved husband, George in 1958 and was happy to move to the United States, where she would later become a proud citizen.  She always wanted to live in the United States, especially since she lived through the Nazi occupation of Greece and the Greek Civil War.

Bessie and George were blessed with three sons and were always there for them when they were growing up.  Bessie helped them with their homework and along with George made sure that they always had anything they needed.  Bessie’s family always enjoyed her cooking, especially her koulourakia and kourambiedes.  As her children grew older, she helped her husband as a hostess and cashier at the Ambassador and Country Squire Restaurants.

Bessie was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian and had a deep faith that she imparted to her children.  She was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where she was a member of the Greek School Board and helped with the Philoptochos.  In her later years, Bessie was also a faithful member of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, where she looked forward to the services and going to the Young at Heart events.  Even though her memory worsened in the last few years, she was still able to sing the Church hymns that were ingrained in her.

Bessie is survived by her three children, Dr. John Holevas and his wife, Anastasia, Jimmy Holevas and his wife, Vickie, and Tommy Holevas and his wife, Jerri.  She will truly be missed by her six grandchildren whom she loved very much: Lea, George Dimitri, Ronnie, George John, Maria, and Niko.  She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.  Bessie was predeceased by her parents; her dear husband of 42 years, George; sister, Zoe Mamblekos, and brother, Athanasios Vlahos.

The family would like to express their special thanks to her caregivers for their loving care over the last few years.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials may be offered in memory of Bessie to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral Foundation, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, or St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, Attn: Iconography Fund, 5108 Kuykendall Road, Charlotte, NC 28270.

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.