Martha N. Meleos

Martha N. Meleos, 89, originally of Charlotte, NC fell asleep in the Lord on October 29, 2014. Mrs. Meleos was born on December 18, 1924 in Wilmington, NC to the late Mike Niketas and the late Effie Karoli Niketas, both of Galaxidi, Greece. She was raised, along with her brother, the late John Mike Niketas, as first generation Greek Americans. Like many others of her generation, Greek was the only language spoken in the home. Growing up, she spent time in both Wilmington and Charlotte, NC but mostly in Charlotte singing in the church choir where she also helped organize many Greek dances put on by the Estia Club of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. She graduated from New Hanover High School in Wilmington. She then attended Kings Business College in Charlotte. She came to meet her future husband, the late Theodore Alexander Meleos when upon an attack of appendicitis while having served in the Greek Merchant Marines, he came to recuperate and work at his uncle’s restaurant. She’d always attend movies with her brother and he’d notice her passing by the restaurant location and asked his uncle about her. Since he knew very little English, her fluency in Greek impressed him, especially since she wasn’t born in Greece. They married in 1959. After working for other restaurant owners, Mr. Meleos decided to open a restaurant of his own. In 1965, they opened Theodore’s Restaurant & Lounge, which they operated for many years together. There she was affectionately known as “Mrs. Theodore” to the regulars and she clearly enjoyed being referred to as such, especially when being teased or when someone was trying to change her way of thinking when her mind was clearly made up about a matter. The root meaning of the name Martha means “Lady” and she always conducted herself as such with grace, dignity, and a quiet strength no matter the situation. With a fervent trust in God, she quietly led by example rather than words. She is survived by her daughter, Effie Arvanitakis and her husband, Jerry, and two grandchildren, Peter (paternal grandfather’s namesake) and Martha (maternal grandmother’s namesake and a namesake her daughter, Effie, had always hoped she’d be able to pass down to her own daughter one day).

Her family would also like to acknowledge and is appreciative of the wonderful care Mrs. Meleos received while a resident of Indian Creek Healthcare Center’s Memory Care Unit. Even though her mind had been clouded by Alzheimer’s Disease, she was still able to touch those who came in contact with her and able still to keep her ability to emit a smile from those close to her. May her memory be eternal!

The family will receive family and friends Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a Trisagion service taking place at 7 p.m. at Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203. Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 3, 2014 at St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church with Fr. Nicholas Papedo, Protopresbyter officiating with Interment immediately following at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church, 8100 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS 66212.