Katharine Kalas Pappas
died on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at Hospice at Flagler Hospital. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 13, 1924 to Peter and Aphrodite Kalas, immigrants from Greece. Her family moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina where her father opened a restaurant. She, her mother and siblings were sent to Karyes, Greece during the Depression. Her father died shortly after her and her family's return from Greece. She and her family moved to Daytona Beach in 1938 where her mother opened the Spot Café on Main Street. Her mother and step-father, James Danas, went on to open a Chinese restaurant and then the Tropical Bar and Package Store which remained open until 1965, also located on Main Street. Katharine graduated from Seabreeze Senior High School in 1942. On June 12, 1947, Katharine married Steve George Pappas in Charlotte, North Carolina and lived there until 1950. She then moved back to Daytona Beach with Steve when he took a job at the Daytona Beach News Journal as a sportswriter. Steve went on to become the executive editor at the Daytona Beach News Journal where he retired in 1992. Steve passed away in 2001 after almost 53 years of marriage to Katharine. Katharine and Steve had one child, George, born in 1951, and now a local attorney. Katharine was very active in the life of her family. She hosted parties for the London Symphony Orchestra in the 1960s and 1980s and her parties were events with great food, usually Greek food, dance and spirits. She was active with her garden club in the 1960s and was president of the club. However, her main focus was always on her family, friends and church. She was a hard worker at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, baking and cooking for the Greek Festival every year she could. She had a great smile and made people feel comfortable around her. She had a wonderful daughter-in-law, Patty, and two granddaughters, Katina and Zoe, who were the loves of her life. She leaves behind her son, George, his wife, Patty, and their daughters, Katina and Zoe. She also leaves behind her sister, Chris Movroydis of Williamsburg, Virginia, brother-in-law, Angelo Pappas of Sonoma, California, sister-in-law, Jane Pappas of Nashville, Tennessee, godson, Dean Movroydis and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved with a passion.
The funeral will be held at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church at 12 pm on Monday, June 11, 2018. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 between 5-7 pm at Lohman's Funeral Home at 733 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL 32174.
In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be given to the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Daytona Beach in honor of Katharine Pappas. We will miss her very much. Condolences and memories are welcome to be shared with the family via this online guestbook.
