Sally Ann Papageorge

Sally Ann Papageorge, 82, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away peacefully with family by her side on February 19, 2023, with the strength, courage and love of a valiant hero. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her loving husband Mike and children Guy, Marc and Dena, along with her six grandsons and a great granddaughter. Sally Ann was born on December 17, 1940, to Clarence and Sally Welling in Orlando, Florida. She graduated from Boone High School in Orlando in 1958 where she was Salutatorian and Secretary of her Senior Class. She also enjoyed being a cheerleader, Editor of her school newspaper and President of the Spanish Club. After graduation, she attended Santa Barbara Community College majoring in elementary education. On February 21, 1962, she married the love of her life, Mike Papageorge, in Warner Robins, Georgia. She met Mike at the USO Club at the Robins Air Force Base where Mike was stationed and she was teaching dance lessons. She loved her husband Mike and she loved being a spouse in the military. Mike’s service took her to places she had never experienced including Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Holland, Hong Kong and Greece. Greece was her most favorite place (and her husband Mike’s homeland) and they had a wonderful and idyllic life when they lived there for seven years. Sally Ann and Mike and their children moved to Tallahassee in 1977 to be closer to family. Upon arrival in Tallahassee, they opened the Grecian Urn Gift Shop that featured beautiful imports from their many travels. In 1979, Sally Ann became a real estate agent and she worked for Bestsellers Realty (which eventually merged with Coldwell Banker). Sally Ann stayed involved in the real estate business into her 70s. Sally Ann had a natural gift for sales, loved her real estate family and enjoyed mentoring colleagues throughout her career. One of Sally Ann’s numerous talents was her beautiful voice. She loved singing in the Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church Choir and was a member of Voces Angelorum, which means “voices of angels”. Sally Ann truly had the voice of an angel and singing brought her so much joy. Sally Ann had a variety of interests and talents that made her always fun to be with and interesting to talk to. She was a Scrabble wiz, a talented athlete in softball and basketball, a beautiful writer and excelled in anything musical, including the ability to play the piano by ear. Sally Ann was a wonderful friend to many and she always treated her friends like family. She had many treasured friends throughout her life that were so very meaningful to her. Sally gave lovingly to anyone who needed their spirits lifted, most often the elderly and those struggling in life. Sally Ann loved arranging and gifting flowers to friends and family, especially the ones grown by Mike in their back yard. She was a talented baker as well and loved sharing this gift with everyone. She had special recipes that she loved preparing with her family and has passed these down to her children and grandchildren. They are all left with so many happy memories because of how lovingly she gave. When they arrived in Tallahassee, Sally Ann and Mike joined the parish of the Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church. They loved their church community and made so many wonderful friendships through their church. A fun memory was when Sally Ann and a dear friend started the “Forever Young” group for the 60-plus crowd at their church. They celebrated birthdays by hosting parties with meals, bingo and prizes and a fun time was had by all, especially Sally! One of the most joyful, happiest parts of Sally Ann’s life was her six grandsons, and she was thrilled when she was blessed with a great granddaughter in 2021. She was forever proud of her grandsons and loved nothing more than spending time with them, sharing treasured memories, hearing about their lives and cheering them on in all of their pursuits. Sally Ann and Mike had a long, happy life together and were married for 61 years. They delighted in each other’s company and loved sharing coffee time in the mornings, long and philosophical conversations about world affairs and current events, and just enjoying life together. Being a mother to her three children was at the absolute core of who Sally Ann was and she poured her life and love into them. Her children all have no doubt that she was the best Mom ever and they all feel incredibly blessed to have had her love, devotion and never-ending support. She is survived by her loving husband Mike Papageorge, her three children, Guy Papageorge, Marc Papageorge and Dena Papageorge Strickland; her six grandsons, Michael Papageorge, Geoffrey Strickland (Morgan), Nicholas Papageorge, Alex Strickland, Andreas Papageorge, Matthew Papageorge; and her great-granddaughter Madison Leigh Strickland (parents Geoffrey and Morgan). She is also survived by her brother Arthur Welling and her sister Faith McAllister. The family will receive friends from 4:00PM until 5:30PM on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Bevis Funeral Home, 200 John Knox Road, with the Trisagion following at 5:30PM. The funeral service will be at 11:00AM on Friday, February 24, 2023, at Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church with interment at Oakland Cemetery. The traditional Makaria Meal will follow the interment back at the church Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, Boys Town North Florida and Big Bend Hospice, who so lovingly took care of her and her family at the end of her life. Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the Papageorge family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Sally Ann Papageorge

December 17, 1940 - February 19, 2023