Lilly Fotopoulos

Lilly (Kalliopi) Brunell Fotopoulos, lovingly known as Yia Yia Lilly, to her children and grandchildren, fell asleep in the Lord on February 13, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. She was 92 years old. She was born in Dallas to Greek immigrants and restaurant owners, Chris and Ida Brunell. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, Lilly attended Southern Methodist University for two years. She worked as a secretary and traveled the world in her single years. In 1963, she married Frank Fotopoulos, a Kansas wheat farmer, moved to Sharon Springs, Kansas and made her life on the farm, devoting her time to raising their three children. After raising their family, Frank and Lilly moved to Dallas part time while still operating the farm. She was proud of her Greek heritage, loved her family and friends, and enjoyed opening her home and inviting in her many friends from Dallas and Kansas. She was a devoted wife, mother and Yia Yia, accomplished cook and full of loving hospitality. When Frank passed away in 2003, Lilly assumed operations of the farm, as an owner and operator of Fotopoulos Farms, Inc., for the next 15 years until 2018, when she retired at 88 years old.

She is survived by three children: daughter, Thea Fotopoulos Pakes and husband, Mark, son, Paul Fotopoulos and wife, Maria and daughter, Haidi Fotopoulos. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stathi Pakes, Franklin Fotopoulos, Nicholas Fotopoulos, Foti Pakes, Lilly Fotopoulos, Chris Fotopoulos, and Angela Fotopoulos, and two sisters, Mary Vlamides and Becka Kouvelis, numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Honoring her as pallbearers are her 5 grandsons and a grandnephew Chris Kouvelis. Honorary pallbearers are Peter Kouvelis, Chris Kouvelis, Jr., Lenny Athens, John Christian, Tom Fox, Jimmy Christon, George Spiliotis, George Clift, and godson Louis Vellios. Visitation will take place at 9:30 am Friday, February 17, 2023, and the Trisagion Service and Funeral to follow immediately at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, Texas. Father Mark Pakes and Father John Haby officiating. Burial service to follow at Restland Memorial Park. Memorial Donations may be made to Holy Trinity Greek School. May her memory be eternal!