Rosa Paulatos

Rosa Paulatos, 89, fell asleep in the arms of our Lord on July 22, 2025.

Rosa was born in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 1936, the daughter of the late Pete & Lucille (Sirmas) Paulatos. She was a graduate of the High School of Charleston and a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. She dedicated her life to her Orthodox faith, working as the secretary of Holy Trinity for over 40 years, and in her later years serving as the Church archivist. She was instrumental in organizing the Charleston Greek Festival in its early years, coordinating Greek School, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Christmas pageants, and singing in the church choir. She had an affinity for Greek liturgical hymnal music and Greek folk and dance music. Rosa also loved the Byzantine-style iconography and had an admiration of the artists who contributed to the artwork that adorns Holy Trinity, including John Terzis and the Tzirtzilakis family iconographers, of which she proudly had original works from each. She was immensely proud of her Greek heritage and of Greek culture and history, making several trips over the years to Greece to visit her father’s home in Peratata on the island of Cephalonia, and the historic ruins of Athens, Delphi, Corfu, Olympia, and Rhodes. She also contributed her knowledge to the book “Charleston’s Greek Heritage” written by the late George J. Morris. She loved nothing more than a good Greek wedding, festival or social event featuring Greek dancing and live Greek music, always being the first to implore everyone to get up and dance. She was a loving aunt and Godparent, and never hesitated to step in and help others when needed.

Rosa is survived by a niece, Kiki Papadopoulos Missailidis (Michael), and nephews Pete Papadopoulos (Charlene), Chris Papadopoulos (Bob Cooper), Nicko Papadopoulos, Charles Paulatos, and Pete Paulatos (Summer), and many grand nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her younger sisters, Sophia Paulatos Kambitsis and Marika Paulatos Papadopoulos.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity , 30 Race Street, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, followed by her funeral at 11:30 am, with burial to follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund.

May her memory be eternal.

___________________________