Phyllis Rose Pagonis, 87, fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, in Gulf Breeze, FL, surrounded by her loving family. She was the fifth child and second eldest daughter born to Nikolaos and Angelliki Spyro in Glossa, Skopelos, Greece on June 2, 1935. Phyllis always had a smile on her face that was contagious even from a young child. She was a dreamer and would tell her playmates in the village that she was going to America one day. Her dream came true when her godparents/ aunt and uncle, legally adopted her in 1956 to provide her passage to the United States. Phyllis arrived in Pensacola, Florida in December of 1957 to start her new life. She met her future husband George E. Pagonis and they were married in 1962. Their family grew quickly with the birth of their first son in 1963, a second son in 1964 and a daughter in 1967. She was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Pensacola, FL, where she was the chairperson, for over thirty years, in the preparation of the Holy Bread (Prosforon) used in the preparation of Holy Communion. She was a member of the Philoptochos Ladies Society and helped many years with the annual Greek Festival.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her biological parents, Nikolaos and Angelliki Spyro; adoptive parents, aunt and uncle, Charles and Mary Antul; her beloved and cherished husband of 53 years, George E. Pagonis; brothers, Thomas Spyro and Demetrius Spyro; beloved sister, Elisavet (Voula) Varvouris and her nephews, Stavros Varvouris and Nick Stanford.

She is survived by her loving children to cherish her memory, sons, Elias G, Pagonis (Dina) of Gulf Breeze, FL and Stanley G. Pagonis (Vickie) of Cantonment, FL; her devoted and beloved daughter, Anna Maria Gallaher (Reed) of Gulf Breeze, FL and daughter-in -law, Nikki Pagonis of Gulf Breeze, FL. She also leaves behind the lights of her life, her adored grandchildren, Daphne Rose Brunson-Pagonis (Lauren A.) of Chattanooga, TN, George D. Pagonis (Lauren E.) of Tampa, FL, Joshua A. Pagonis (Lauren M.) of Chattanooga, TN, Margaret Chavez (Jorge) of Orlando, FL, Alexander G. Pagonis of Pensacola, FL and her great grandson, Master George Alexander Pagonis of Chattanooga, TN. She will also be remembered by her adored goddaughter/niece, Maria Ladikos (Andreas) of Duluth, GA; nieces, Angela Summerlin (Mark) of Jacksonville, FL, Evangela Varvouris (Trish) of Tampa, FL and Tina Varvouris of Pensacola, FL. In addition, she leaves her sisters, Maria Tsiouflias of Kythira, Greece, Litsa Theos (Apostolis) of Karditsa, Greece and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews both in the United States, Australia, Canada and Greece.

Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00pm Monday, February 27, 2023, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd. Pensacola, FL, 32504, with the Trisagion service at 6:00pm. Funeral service will be held 10:00am Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1720 W. Garden St., Pensacola, FL with Reverend Protopresbyter Father John A. Kalantzis officiating. Interment will follow at Historic St. John's Cemetery, Pensacola, FL.

Active Pallbearers will be her grandsons: George D. Pagonis, Joshua A. Pagonis, Alexander G. Pagonis, Jorge Chavez; godson, Nicholas Ladikos of Duluth, GA and nephew, Andrew Ladikos of Atlanta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1720 W. Garden St., Pensacola, FL 32502.

May her memory be eternal.