Vasiliki "Koula" Psilopoulos, aged 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 7, 2018 surrounded by her family. Koula was born July 6, 1921 in Voutiro, Evrytania, Greece to Constantine and Evanthia Canoutas. She survived the horrors of the Second World War and the Greek civil war, escaping shortly thereafter to the United States. She embodied great courage in crossing the Atlantic, son in tow, to an unknown land and culture. She was reunited with her family in Shelby, NC, and later was joined by her husband. Koula was blessed to have three children and devoted her life to them, teaching them both faith in God and optimism in America. While quiet in her ways, she was known for bringing warmth to all with her winning smile.

Koula is survived by her three children, Constantine Psilopoulos, Maria Collis and her husband, Jim, Eve Psilopoulos and her husband, Charles Karukstis, her granddaughter Steffie Colllis Rantzos and her husband Paul, and her great-grandson, Dean and her sister Helen Papanastasiou, and her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband George, sister Kassiani Nicopoulos, and her brother Nick Canoutas.

Visitation will be at 12:00 on November 13, 2018 with the Trisagion and funeral at 1:00 at Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory at 106 Cherryville Road in Shelby, NC with Father Gregory Waynick presiding. Interment will be at Cleveland Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Constantine Nicholas Canoutas, Chris Canoutas, Dr. Emilios Andrew Papanastasiou, Constantine John Papanastasiou, Emilios C. Papanastasiou and Joshua Nadel.

Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 E. Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203 or Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Psilopoulos.
Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com