Callie Gionis

Kalliope Callie Carantzas Gionis August 8, 1916 June 6, 2009 Callie Gionis passed away on June 6, 2009, in a local hospital. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 12, at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, with Father Ted Tsitsilianos officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. A Trisagion service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 11, at the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd., followed by visitation. Callie was born on August 8, 1916, in Philadelphia, PA, and moved with her parents to Jacksonville, FL, at a very young age. She was the oldest of five children born to Peter and Athena Carantzas. She was united in marriage to George N. Gionis in 1933, and was blessed with a son, Nick of Houston and a daughter, Anna Kazanas of Waco. Callie was a member of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church of Jacksonville for many years where she was active in church activities, including president of the Philoptohos Society, the women's philanthropic organization, from 1951 to 1953. In 1966, she and her husband moved to Waco to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Anna and Steve Kazanas and their children. She was a long-time member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Waco and was active in the Ladies Auxiliary and the Philoptohos Society. Callie especially enjoyed the company of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, family gatherings, the arts, cooking and baking for family and friends. Callie's most important and cherished blessing was that of her faith, church and loving family. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; sister, Sophia Haines of Jacksonville; brother, Ted Carantza of Houston; and son-in-law, Steve Kazanas. Callie is survived by her son, Nick Gionis and wife, Argie; daughter, Anna Kazanas; grandsons, Dean S. Kazanas of Dallas; George E. Kazanas and wife, Kim, of China Spring; Kyle Gionis and wife, Vanessa, of Houston; great-grandsons, Jonathan and Christopher Kazanas; and Donovan Gionis; brothers, George Carantzas and wife, Lee, of Jacksonville, FL; Gus Carantzas and wife, Betsy, of Lansing, Michigan; and sister-in-law, Frances Carantza of Houston. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and special friends. Pallbearers will include grandsons, Dean Kazanas, George Kazanas and Kyle Gionis; nephew, Steve Carantza; friends, Marc Marion, John Giotes, Steve Moody and Donald Cox. For anyone wishing, memorials may be made to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 617 North 17th Street, Waco 76707, or the charity of your choice. May her memory be eternal. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.