Charlotte Katherine DeShazo Kartsonas, 84, of Waycross, passed away early Wednesday morning, November 29, 2023.
Born in Montgomery, AL September 30, 1939, she grew up in Waycross before moving to New York City where she lived until returning to Waycross in 2000. She graduated from Wacona High School and attended Wesleyan College in Macon where she had been active in theater. In 1957, she moved to New York, where she met the love of her life of 60 years: Vassilis Demetrios Kartsonas. They married in the summer of 1960.
She was always very devoted to her family. One could fill a book with all the wonderful attributes she possessed. She was a member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Staten Island where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. She was employed at the HIP Medical Center in Staten Island, NY until her retirement in 2000.
She was an inspiration to everyone. If you were fortunate to have known her, you will always remember her incredible imagination, words of enlightenment and encouragement. In her spare time, she loved to sing, write short stories and recite poems. She traveled and enjoyed gardening.
She was a daughter of the late James Calvin and Emma Corrine Sweat DeShazo and was also preceded by her late husband.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Maria and Thomas Hayes, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ; her son and daughter-in-law, Dimitri and Daria Kartsonas, Atlanta; her sister, Millicent DeShazo Gillis, Waycross; her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Judy DeShazo, Waycross; her six grandchildren whom she adored, Thomas (Melissa) Hayes Jr., Robert (Jackie) Vassilis Hayes, Katherine Hayes, Julia Hayes, Christopher Kartsonas and Olivia Kartsonas and several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Dec. 7, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at noon Thursday, Dec. 7, from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Dimitri Kartsonas, Thomas Hayes, Thomas Hayes Jr., Robert Hayes and Christopher Kartsonas.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
