Joyce P. Gianaris

Joyce Pappas Gianaris was born on April 16, 1932 in Tarpon Springs, Florida, in her grandfather's home and passed into the loving arms of God on January 17, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents Sevasty Lambrianos Marcotsis and Thomas Pappas, and by her loving husband Ted N. Gianaris, Sr. Joyce is survived by her sister Mary Pappas Lawandales and by her devoted children Ted Gianaris, Jr. and his wife Jennifer, Sylvia Gianaris Stangarone and her husband Robert, and Kathy Gianaris DuVernet and her husband Rich. Joyce was the matriarch of a wonderful brood of 11 grandchildren - Annie (Josh Edelson), Jake, Elliott, Sophie, Auggie, Abe, Ellyn, Aaron, Zac, Nic, and Amy (Steve Shelton); and two great granddaughters Emeline and Logan. Joyce moved to Charleston, SC when she was 3 years old and met Ted as a child She graduated from Memminger High School in 1950 and married Ted on June 18, 1952. She worked in the advertising department at the Post Courier and later with Ted at their pharmacy, but her greatest joy was in raising her children. She delighted in her family and was the kindest and most gracious woman a person could know. Joyce and Ted Sr. left Charleston to live in Glen Carbon, Illinois in 2001 to be close to Ted Jr. and his family. They spent their last years together at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon and this is where Joyce continued to live. One of the nurses who cared for her for the past year said that she had prayed for a nice person with a nice family to move in, and her prayers were answered with Joyce; that Joyce was her blessing. Joyce was many people's blessing. She loved well. She was greatly loved. And she will be sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joyce's name to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity Building Fund, 30 Race Street, Charleston, SC 29403; Lutheran Senior Services, LLS Living Foundation, 1150 Hanley Industrial Ct., St. Louis, MO 63144; or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62220.

Her funeral service will be held Monday, January 22, 2018 in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 30 Race Street at 12:00 p.m. The family will receive friends Sunday, January 21, 2018 in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with Trisagion at 6:00 p.m.