Sophia Lawandales Demos

Sophia Lawandales Demos, 89, of Charleston, South Carolina, wife of the late Peter Demos, Jr., entered into eternal rest Monday, December 30, 2024. Her Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025 in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 30 Race Street at 11:30 am. Burial will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday, January 10, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel.

Sophia was born on February 27, 1935 in Charleston, South Carolina, daughter of the late Frank Andrew Lawandales and the late Demetra Mavrantzakis Lawandales. She graduated from Rivers High in 1953, then the Medical University of South Carolina Nursing School in 1956, where she worked as a Registered Nurse for 35 years until retirement. Sophia was always on the move leading committees at church; serving as the President of the Philoptochos Society, Treasurer of the “Popular Greek Recipes” cookbook committee and organizing teams and cooking for the annual Greek Festival. She was known as the “welcome committee” by church parishioners, and often invited newcomers, as well as Citadel cadets over for Sunday dinners. Sophia was the first Charleston, SC honoree of the Archangel Michael Award for her devotion to the church and acting as a living example of her Orthodox Christian faith. Mrs. Demos extended her efforts throughout Charleston by volunteering at the downtown public schools and visiting patients at the local hospitals and nursing homes. Through all of these efforts, her greatest achievement was raising her four children, and ensuring that all in her extended family felt loved and supported.

She is survived by her children, Peter III (Ann) Demos, Frank (Danetta) Demos, Pamela (George) Vasilos and Demetrios (Betsy) Demos; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and sister-in-laws Mary Lawanadales and Angelica Demos Sponza. 

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother Andrew Lawandales; Elias (Betty) Lawandales; Stelios (Mickey) Lawandales, her sister-in-law Alexandra Demos Stefanou and brother in-law Franco Sponza.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ladies Philoptochos Society or the New Hellenic Center Fund, 30 Race Street, Charleston, SC 29403.

____________________________________