Obituary of Eva F Paparodis

Eva F. Paparodis, 96 of St. Pete Beach, FL went to sleep in the Lord, at home holding the hand of her daughter, on Friday, June 30, 2023. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Demos and Irene Frankos; her sisters Evelyn Sferios and Stella Doulou; and her brothers Thomas and Nicholas Frankos.

Eve is survived by her only child, Connie Paparodis Newell; her granddaughter Heidi Newell Miles (Sam); four great grandchildren, Jamie Wright (Kade), Mac Boren and Maggie & Riley Miles. She leaves behind a multitude of much beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Eve was born on Mother’s Day, May 8, 1927 in Warren, OH. From the time she was a small child, she was known for her empathy and loving maternal nature. She was also known for loving to talk! Her outgoing, welcoming personality drew people to her. One of 5 children she worked hard from the time she was a young girl, charming neighbors who’s washing, mending and housework she helped her mother to do as a way to make ends meet.

The talkative Eve’s first job right out of High School was for the Phone Company, but her love of fashion (she even designed and made many of her own clothes for a number of years) led her to the Strauss Department Store as a sales person. By the time she met and married the love of her life, Stephen G. Paparodis and moved to Salem OH in 1949, she had become the youngest ready-to-wear buyer for the Strauss-Hirshberg/May Co. Her tales of buying trips to New York City were epic.

For the health of her husband and daughter, Eve and family moved in 1961 to the warmer climates of St Pete Beach, FL where she and her husband opened the Rodis Restaurant on Corey Ave. Locals and tourists alike were drawn not only to the delicious homestyle cooking, but to Eve and Steve’s warmth and hospitality. They eventually partnered with her sister and and brother-in-law to open the Shrimp Ahoy Seafood waterfront Restaurant on Blind Pass Road. There the busboys nicknamed Eve, “Mother Nature” for her ability to raise an eyebrow and shoot a lightning-bolt hot look faster than Thor’s hammer in response to any inappropriate antics. 

Those were the years that allowed Eve and Steve their first real vacations and an opportunity to visit Las Vegas where she discovered her love of playing the slots, especially at the Tropicana! It was an exciting time but leases end, and life moves on.

Eve soon began working as support staff in an ophthalmology office, which eventually became the Pasadena Eye Center. She retired the week she turned 80 years old, still loving her work. To this day, patients often ask about her. 

Eva was a founding member of St Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, an member active in the Ladies Philoptochos and the Daughters of Penelope.

As she would tell anyone who asked, she had a long and wonderful life filled with love of family and friends. She will be remembered for her smile, her laughter, her warmth and joy, but most of all for her compassionate, loving heart.

May her memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Greek Church

Funeral Service will be held at

St Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church

3600 76th Street N

St Petersburg, FL 33710 - Phone 727-345-8235

Monday, July 10th, 11:00 AM, Visitation: 10:00 AM

Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home - 727-547-3773