Louisa Papadis Pantazis

Louisa Papadis Pantazis gained her wings on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. 

She was born in Marathia, Greece to George and Vasiliki Papadis. As a young teenager, Louisa moved to the United States, where she graduated from Warren County High School. She later found fulfillment working at a local pharmacy, a job she truly enjoyed. After the passing of her mother, she returned to Greece, where fate led her to meet the love of her life, John Pantazis, while enjoying a day at the beach with her girlfriends. John always said that the moment he laid eyes on Louisa, he knew that she was the one for him. They married shortly after and returned to the United States, settling in Atlanta, Georgia where they had two daughters. Four years later, they moved to Spartanburg, SC where they co-owned the Athens Restaurant. In 1978, they moved to Winston Salem, NC where they opened several locations of the Clipper Seafood Restaurants and also Austins Bar and Grill in High Point, NC. Louisa was also one of the founders of Goody’s Grill in Winston-Salem, NC. 

Louisa was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her loving husband, and her siblings, Ioannis Koutsikakis, James Papadis, and Eleni Veletza, along with her sister-in-law, Helen Papadis and her brother-in-law, Christos Veletza. 

Louisa is survived by her daughter Gina Nikitas, her son-in-law, Panagiotis Nikitas, her daughter Bessie Pantazis, and her grandchildren, Liza Nikitas, Kyle Nikitas, Maria Nikitas, and Yanna Pantazis who were all the apple of her eye. A devoted member of the Greek Orthodox Church, Louisa was a member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society in Atlanta, GA, Spartanburg, SC, and Winston Salem, NC, where she served for over 60 years in various roles including Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. She was also a member of the Daughters of Evrytania, the Daughters of Penelope, and the Velouchi Association of America.

Everyone who met Louisa loved her. She had a magnetizing personality and always had a smile on her face. Louisa was known for being kind, honest and generous. She was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Louisa had an extraordinary talent for sewing and it was one of her hobbies. She would walk into a store and look at a garment and then would go home and sew it without using a pattern. Her daughters were the best dressed girls with matching outfits because she sewed almost everything they wore. And she was an exceptional cook too! Her home was always open to all and she fed everyone who walked through her doors. There were many Thanksgiving dinners hosted by Louisa, where she welcomed and served more than fifty people, always including those who were far away from their families and those who didn’t have a family.

Louisa’s cooking was legendary. She prepared incredible meals and desserts without ever using a recipe. She found joy in cooking and sharing the food she made. When the Greek ladies gathered together at the church to make pastries, she would bring a meal to share with them. She also loved baking and decorating cakes that looked like they came from a bakery. Her home was always a happy haven.

Family meant everything to Louisa. She was an incredible wife, a loving mama, and the best yiayia. She loved with all of her heart and soul and she taught her family how to love the same way. If you spent time with Louisa, you quickly learned how much she loved music and how much she loved to sing and dance. She taught her children and her grandchildren many Greek songs that they sang with her and danced with her. She was our number one cheerleader who would clap her hands and cheer, “OPA EIPA LEO”! Those words of yours are engraved in our minds and we too will chant them and think of you always.

Visitations will be held at the Nikitas Home, located at 3737 Verbena Way in Clemmons, NC, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Sunday, March 9th. The Trisagion will take place at 10:00 AM with the Funeral services to follow at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 10th at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church officiated by Rev. Father Minas Tsambounieris, Rev. Father Demetri Kangelaris, and Rev. Father Constantine Shepherd. A makaria luncheon will be offered by the family in Louisa’s memory, and all are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Drive, Winston Salem, NC 27104.

Mama, you were the epitome of a true lady who found the good in every person you met. Each of us hopes that we can be half of the beautiful person that you always were. We will talk about you, tell your stories, and keep your memory eternal. We were beyond blessed to have the very best and we love you forever and a day. “Kalo Paradiso Manoula mou Hrisi”