Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 15, 2026

CHARLOTTE – Patricia (Pitsa) Kerhulas Karres passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Pitsa was born January 27, 1934, in Karyes, Greece, a village in the Peloponnese region near Sparta.  She was the fourth of five children to Paraskevas and Triantafilli Kerhulas.  Her family was filled with faith, happiness, and love.  That changed with World War II and the Nazi occupation.  Her father was imprisoned in a work camp for two years during that time.  Pitsa and her family managed somehow to live through that difficult period.  At the end of the war, the family home was burned along with most houses throughout the village and the country.  Her father was released from the prison camp but died a few months later.  Pitsa was 11 years old.

At the age of 13, she left home to attend boarding school in Tripoli, a nearby town, and completed her high school education.  She attended the University of Athens and received a bachelors and graduate degree in Midwifery.  Pitsa went on to deliver home births in the region of Laconia.  She enjoyed her time caring for the mothers and their newborns.

In the summer of 1961, Pitsa quickly fell in love with Gus Karres, who had returned to Greece to visit his family.  They married in August 1961 and made their life in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pitsa joined Gus in his business, Providence Cleaners, where she worked as a seamstress for 25 of the 41 years they were in business.

She was a devoted and loving mother to her son, Nick and daughter, Phyllis.  She cherished her grandchildren, Elias and Constance Gianakopoulos.

Pitsa and Gus enjoyed their retirement years.  They loved their beach trips, annual cruises with a large group of friends, frequent summers in Greece, and visiting friends and family all over the United States.  She cherished her village, her Greek heritage, and was grateful for her life in America.

Pitsa was a dedicated member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  She served and supported the Philoptochos for over 50 years and was a loyal baker of Koulourakia (twisted butter cookies) for the annual events of the church.  She also served as a President of the Ladies Society of Karyae.

Pitsa and Gus were among the first families to help establish Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church.  She took great pride in serving the parish in any way she could.  Whether that was baking holy bread and pastries or giving liturgical support and sewing altar cloths and vestments for clergy.  Pitsa was honored as a recipient of the Archangel Michael Award for her service to the church.  Her entire life was spent as an obedient servant to our Lord.  She was very grateful to God for all her blessings, and she took great joy in serving God and others.

The family would like to thank Dr. Peter Copsis for his dedication to Pitsa’s care for over 30 years.

Pitsa is survived by her son, Nick Karres; daughter, Phyllis Gianakopoulos and her husband, Gus; grandchildren, Elias and Constance Gianakopoulos, and her sister, Toula Boukidis   She was predeceased by her husband, Gus; her parents, Paraskevas and Triantafilli Kerhulas; her brothers, Angelo and George Kerhulas, and her sister, Eleni Giannopoulos.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 23, 2026, at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will follow at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for SAMA (Saint Anastasia Medical Assistance Fund) at Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, 5108 Kuykendall Road, Charlotte, NC 28270.

May Her Memory Be Eternal.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.