Nina Rokas

Thespo Nina Rokas fell asleep in the Lord on May 17, 2023 in her 80th year, leaving life on earth to await the resurrection of those passed and the life of the ages to come.

Nina was a force of faith, loyalty and love to her family, her church, her students, and mostly to God. Born in Detroit to Clementine and Pangalos Parker on May 7, 1943, their family moved to San Antonio, Texas when Nina was ten years old. It was in Texas she met her soulmate, a tall, handsome, lanky fellow who emanated joy, Harry James Rokas. He would tell you he was the luckiest man to have won Nina's heart, and they married on June 23, 1968. They had 53 beautiful years together, and we get comfort in the image of him welcoming her, arms wide-open.

With a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Texas, Nina taught 3rd-5th graders in Northeast Independent School District for 20 years. With those years came great experience and a willingness to listen. She never minded taking extra time for her principal, administrators, or staff when they asked for her help or advice.

Nina also taught at the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. There is no doubt students at both school and church knew and loved having Nina as a teacher, ever familiar with her smile, warmth, and five-star command of the classroom.

In addition, Nina kept the books for Demo's restaurant, where she was willing to handle any customer call that came her way. She used those same skills of organization and detailed perseverance as secretary on the parish council, as president of the Philoptochos board, as well as other positions, and as a senior fellowship committee board member. Perhaps, though, one of Nina's biggest contributions to the church was serving as choir director for 25 years. She is someone who knew how to use her voice for good, whether it was speaking-up or singing out, and the community was the beneficiary.

Eleven years ago, Nina brought these same gifts to Dallas when she and Harry moved here to be near their family. They embarked on this change with no hesitation, quickly becoming a deep and integral part of the community that became their home. Nina and Harry will be greatly missed.

This force that is Nina Rokas will stay in our hearts, but never more than in the hearts of the people she loved most: her family. As the fiercely loving mother of Michael and Maria, she guided with honesty, compassion, and grace, growing a devoted, close-knit family who love God and each other with the same faith, loyalty and love they witnessed throughout their lives.

Nina is preceded in death by her husband Harry and her parents Pangalos and Clementine. She is survived by her son Michael Rokas and his wife Georgia, her daughter Maria Christon and her husband John, her "much younger" brother Angelo Parker and his wife, Nina's wonderful sister-in-law Dena, as well as four beautiful grandchildren, Lizzie, Yianni, Dimitri, and Nicholas, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and Godchildren.

The Trisagion service will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (13555 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas) on Friday, May 19th at 7:00 PM. Visitation begins at 6:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday, May 20th at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery.

The Rokas and Christon families invite you to attend the Makaria luncheon at Holy Trinity immediately following the burial. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to St. Barbara's Philoptchos and Holy Trinity Scholarship Fund.