Elsie Stathos

Elsie Stathos (née Whitmire), passed away in her home surrounded by family at the age of 85 Tuesday evening.

She is predeceased by her loving husband of over 60 years, Jimmy Stathos. 

Elsie was born in Greenville, SC to parents, Margie Powell Whitmire and Richard Tilton Whitmire and her brother, Billy Whitmire. She was a woman of great faith throughout her life, first in the Greer Victor Baptist church where she sang in the choir from age six and into adulthood .

In 1963, she converted to the Greek Orthodox faith. 

She was very involved in her church St. George’s Church in Greenville S.C. and then in Myrtle Beach at St. John the Baptist Church where she and Jimmy were founding members and was active in the Daughters of Penelope and Philoptochos charitable organizations.

She and Jimmy were true partners in life – their deep love for each other was always on display, particularly while traveling the world together, and early in their relationship while dating Jimmy, she learned fluent Greek to better communicate with him and his family. 

They were also partners in business – they owned a highly successful series of restaurants in Greer, Myrtle Beach and Calabash, NC.

Her greatest joy in life was her family – first her daughters Voula and Elaine who she loved deeply and their families, including their husbands Alec and George and their children, her grandchildren - Dimitri, Spyros, Peter, Dimitris, and Niko and later in life, her constant companion - her dog, Blitz. 

A fantastic chef, there was nothing she enjoyed more than preparing a large family meal for all to gather.

Elsie was a humble woman who accomplished much in her life and a quiet person with a big heart and love for all those in her life – especially her extended family, friends and neighbors.

She is survived by her children, Voula (Alec) and Elaine (George), her grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, and brother/sister in-law Gus, Eva and Kathy.

The family will receive visitors for a viewing at McMillan-Small Funeral Home, 910 67th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, Wednesday, March 20th from 4:00pm-6:00pm.

A second viewing will take place at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 3301 N 33rd Ave Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, at 10:30am on Thursday, March 21st, immediately followed by a funeral service at 11:00am.

She will be laid to rest immediately after at Southern Palms Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Elsie’s memory to Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church or Heartland Hospice Myrtle Beach. 

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