Obituary of Bessie C. Adams

Bessie Adams, 86, of St. Petersburg, Florida passed away April 5, 2022 at Bayfront Medical Center.  Bessie was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 21, 1935, the middle child of three.  She was raised in Folsom, PA and graduated from Ridley High School.  Bessie Coliukos married Charles Adams June 23, 1957, they went on to have three children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Bessie was preceded in death by her parents John and Calliopi (Soutes) Coliukos, and her sister Sophie (Coliukos) Sitaras. Bessie is survived by her husband Charles Adams, her children Denise (Adams) Santoleri, Helen (Adams) Edmundson and Matthew Adams; grandchildren, Victoria Krause, Ian, Jared and Kegan Edmundson, and Anastasia and Nico Adams; great grandchildren Selena and Madison Krause, and brother Chris Coliukos.

Bessie was very active in the raising of their children, Denise, Nitsa (Helen) and Matthew.  When her children were growing up, Bessie lived an example of love and kindness by always opening her home to all the kids in the neighborhood.  Bessie and her family were very active in the Greek Orthodox Church and community, St. George GO Church in Media, PA and St. Stefanos GO Church in St. Petersburg, FL.  Because of Bessie’s devotion to her faith and Church, she was awarded the St. Michael the Archangel Award by Metropolitan Alexios.  Bessie gave selflessly of her time and talents, she was always involved in  the Ladies Philoptochos Society, a church ministry. She touched many lives and those she touched were better for it.  As an example of her willingness to give, Bessie taught Englishreading and writing to immigrants and those seeking citizenship. Bessie was also very involved in the Daughters of Penelope, a division of the Order of AHEPA, a Greek philanthropic organization. She was involved in the Daughters in District 4 (PA) and District 2 (FL), Bessie was a Past District Governor of District 4 and became a Lifetime Member.  Anyone who knew Bessie, knew of her fabulous dinner parties and Easter dinners after the midnight Resurrection Liturgy.  Up to 30 people would show up at the house at 2:30am for a full meal and everyone loved it.  Bessie’s secret ingredient in her fantastic cooking was love and everyone knew.  No one ever refused a dinner invitation from Bessie.  She was well loved by everyone, and never knew a stranger.  Bessie was Yiayia to everyone.

You can watch Bessie's service by clicking the link below:

http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/72061