Fotini "Fay" Panos

Fotini "Fay" Panos was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven Saturday, October 30, 2021. Fay was born July 26, 1950 in Greece, the youngest of three sisters. Following high school, she obtained an associate degree in architectural drafting and worked as a drafter for a short time. In 1977, a vacation to Greece by her future husband, Andrew, turned into a chance introduction that eventually led to a forty-year marriage. She returned to the United States with Andrew, himself a Greek native and American citizen, and together they bought a home in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she lived the remainder of her life. She later became an American citizen herself, fulfilling a childhood dream. Most important in Fay\'s life was her Orthodox Christian faith. Through all her life\'s tribulations, she always asserted that God was with her and would see her through. He did indeed. \"Thank you, God,\" she often said, as she made the sign of the cross, ever aware of her many blessings. Fay considered being a mother her greatest accomplishment in life. As a child she dreamed of having a son and daughter, and so God willed it. She was so proud of the upright and successful adults her children became and was not reluctant to share the hand she had in it. One of her greatest joys was in 2014 when her son, Greg, married the love of his life, Jana. Her son had found a life partner, and she had gained another daughter. As a mother, Fay made sure to instill the importance of faith in her children. She was protective and stern, but fondly remembered for her silly sense of humor. She laughed easily and heartily. She was always up for acting goofy if it made her family laugh and was able to compose hilarious impromptu songs and poems. Through the most difficult of times, faith, family, and laughter saw her through. For almost 30 years, she worked side by side with Andrew at Panos\' Diner, the family business located in downtown Shreveport. Most of those years, she worked as the cashier. Customers will certainly remember her rosy cheeks and sweet and friendly smile and disposition as she greeted many by name. Fay\'s favorite hobbies were cooking and needlework, at which she excelled at both. Those that were fortunate enough to partake of one of her delicious Greek meals were hard pressed to find anyone who did it better. Like any good Greek mother, she made sure her family always had plenty to eat. Fay was also a master of crochet. There was literally nothing she could not create with a hooked needle and yarn. She could glance at any pattern and replicate it to perfection. Her cross-stitching scenes looked more like photographs. Her home is decorated with her beautiful handiwork, and she left behind a plethora of creations that her family will forever treasure. Fay was a devoted member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, where she also participated in the local chapters of the Daughters of Penelope and the Ladies Philoptochos Society. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Andrew. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Viki Panos and Greg Panos and wife, Jana; her two sisters and their husbands; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Friday, November 5, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, Louisiana with a Trisagion memorial service to follow. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1719 Creswell Ave., Shreveport, Louisiana, followed by interment at Greenwood Cemetery on Stoner Ave. Officiating will be Fr. Ioannis Krokos. A makaria (\"meal of blessings\") will follow in the church\'s Activity Center. Honoring Mrs. Panos as pallbearers will be Chris Booras, Steven Booras, David Lester, Andrew Thompson, Phillip Thompson, and Trey Tomasek. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Sam Fassho, John Georgiafandis, Philip LaHaye, and John Theo. Memorials in Fay\'s memory may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1719 Creswell Ave., Shreveport, Louisiana 71101, St. Jude\'s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, Florida 33607.