Bessie Poulos Stavrakes, 96, of Fullerton, California passed away peacefully May 24, 2019. The daughter of the late Andrew and Evangeline Poulos, Bessie was born February 2, 1923 in Atlanta, Georgia and is preceded in death by her sisters, Annis Routsos and Despina Nicholas, niece Betty Kapetanakos and nephew Nick Routsos.

While an active member of the Atlanta Greek community, Bessie moved with her husband to Southern California in 1954. She later worked for Rockwell International, in the space and aeronautics division, from 1963 until her retirement in 1988.

Bessie made an impression on everyone she met. She was an amazing person with a beautiful soul, strong willed, determined, sophisticated, and loved and doted on her family. Her Greek cooking and baking skills are legendary and she will always be remembered as a perfectionist with a smile.

In 1960, Bessie, with a group of friends, met and worked together to seek prospective members for a new Greek Orthodox community. Asking friends for help, working on phones and even scouring telephone directories looking for any Greek surname that could yield a potential member, this group, by the end of 1961, realized their dream: Saint John Greek Orthodox Church was established in Orange County. For her efforts, Bessie was recognized as a Founder and lifelong Charter Member. She faithfully served the church and was an active member of the Philoptochos Society and Daughters of Penelope. She was honored often as a Humanitarian and for her valuable service.

Bessie is survived by her daughters Gail Ossipoff, and family, of California, Penelope Burkard and family of California; nephew Charles Nicholas and family of Arizona; and niece Christine Nicholas of New York; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A Trisagion service will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at Saint John the Baptist Greek Church, 401 North Dale Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92801

The funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Saint John the Baptist Greek Church, followed by the interment at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made in memory of Bessie P. Stavrakes to Philoptochos Society of Saint John the Baptist Greek Church, 405 North Dale Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92801.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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