Vasiliki “Bessie” Rogatsios

Vasiliki “Bessie” Rogatsios, 85, fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, August 7, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was a fighter and enjoyed the company of her loved ones up until her last breath. 

Bessie was born to Athanasios and Anastasia Kokinos, on March 23, 1938 in Kalesmeno, Evrytania, Greece. She immigrated to the US with her mother in 1949, where she was reunited with her father, who immigrated to the US before she was born in order to provide for their family.

In the US, Bessie first grew up in Greensboro. This is where she met the love of her life, Apostolis “Paul” Rogatsios, when he asked her to dance at a Greek convention they were both attending. They were married not long after on March 1, 1959.

Throughout her life, Bessie was very active, hardworking, supportive and never met a stranger. One of her earliest jobs was in retail in downtown Winston-Salem. She supported and worked with her husband in all of his restaurant businesses, first Morris Service and then later King Kitchen, which they opened with their family friends Gus and Niki Kortesis. Bessie made it a point to get to know every customer that walked through the door - everyone at King Kitchen knew and loved “Mrs. Bessie” and still ask about her to this day.

Bessie was also a very active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Winston-Salem, where she served as a past president of Philoptochos, and was also a part of Daughters of Evrytania, Velouchi, and Warm Up America. She was a skilled knitter and it was a cherished hobby of hers, but what truly brought her the utmost joy was to revel in the company of others.

When her husband, Paul, got sick with Alzheimer’s, she was right by his side and took care of him for many years. Although Paul passed before Bessie, they built a beautiful life and accomplished a lot together. Their greatest accomplishment by far was adopting their two children, Dean and Stacey, and raising them in a family full of love and strong faith.

Bessie loved being around her family and always brought everyone together with her homemade meals and koulourakia. Her grandchildren have countless memories growing up all together at “Yiayia’s house” and she was instrumental in their upbringing. 

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her sister, Nia Theodorogiannis and husband Angelo of Williamsburg, VA, her son, Dean Rogatsios and wife Cameron of King; daughter, Stacey Karagiorgis and husband Nick of Winston-Salem; six grandchildren, Paul Rogatsios, Sam Rogatsios and wife Emily, Stavros Karagiorgis, Victoria Karagiorgis and Max Rogatsios; five great grandchildren: McKenzie, Mallory, Henry, Camille and Victoria Rogatsios; several nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Bessie overflowed with love, and her affection for her family and others was immeasurable. May her memory be eternal.

A Trisagion and funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, with Rev. Fr. George Kouzelis officiating. Interment will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park.

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.