Niki Kortesis

Niki Basiliki Kortesis, 81, fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday, October 16, 2021. She was born on September 14, 1940 in Mouzilo, Greece to Basilis and Eleni Kokotos. As the eldest child, Niki worked tirelessly to help support her family by taking various jobs in and around Athens, Greece. While working in Athens, she developed a love for cooking, especially French cuisine. In 1971, she immigrated to the United States where she met and married the love of her life, Gus Kortesis. The strong work ethic she developed in Greece served her well in America as she and her husband worked together building the family business, King Kitchen Family Restaurant, along with Paul and Bessie Rogatsios. All of the customers loved “Miss Niki”, as did most people she encountered in her life. One word exemplifies Niki - selfless. She always put others and their needs above her own, and her generosity knew no bounds. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gus Kortesis, as well as her parents, her sister Vasiliki Kokotos and brother Ioannis Kokotos, brother-in-law George Cortesis and sister-in-law Demetra Kortesis. She leaves behind two sons, John (Renee) Kortesis and Bill (Athena) Kortesis, a sister Panorea Bandothakis, a brother Demetrios (Kassiani) Kokotos, a sister-in-law Persephone Cortesis, and many loving nieces and nephews. As much as she loved her children, her greatest joy was being surrounded by her adoring grandchildren Costa, Demetri, Nicole, Dean, and Mary Ella, who loved their “Yiayia Niki”. A Trisagion and funeral service will be held at 12:00pm Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with Rev. Fr. George Kouzelis officiating. Interment will follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 11:00am-12:00pm at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.