Irene Sarides Tzouvelekas

Irene was born on April 12, 1932, in the Bronx, New York, as the only child of Constantine and Evanthia Sarides. Irene’s family moved to Greenville when she was a child, where she lived until her passing. She graduated Greenville High School in 1950 and then to college to study at Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia. In 1953, she married the love of her life, George James Tzouvelekas.

In 1957, George and Irene opened Tzouvelekas Package Shop on North Pleasantburg Drive. They ran their business through hard work and dedication all while raising four children. Due to their prosperous work, in 1985, they began expanding their business with two more locations and renamed their business Tz’s Fine Wine & Spirits. George retired in 1996 and he and Irene began their retirement phase in their lives.

Irene was a lifelong and active member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. She sang in the choir, was a member of the St. Barbara’s Ladies Philoptohos Society and the Lyra Chapter 241 Daughters of Penelope, and worked tirelessly in many other parish functions, including preparation of the church, youth activities and the Admissions Booth of the Annual Greek Festival. In 2013 she received the Archangel Michael Award from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta, an award bestowed on individuals who are seen as living examples of the Orthodox Christian life and in recognition of their service and devotion to Christ and their parish.

The most important thing to her was her faith, her family, and her friends. Irene love being around people, and she never met a stranger. Even in her challenging times, she would always have a cheerful outlook and find a way to brighten your day. She loved being outdoors and enjoyed taking her children to the lake or camping when they were younger. She also loved travelling around the world with her lifelong friends. In addition to her fabulous Greek cooking, she will be remembered for her unshakable faith, her integrity, her “can-do” attitude, and her willingness to reach out to people in love.

Irene was predeceased by her parents, Constantine Sarides and Evanthia V. Sarides, her husband George James Tzouvelekas and her son Evan Jerry Tzouvelekas. She is survived by her daughter Hope Tzouvelekas Schmalzl her husband Paul William Schmalzl; her son James George Tzouvelekas, his wife Seann Gray Tzouvelekas and their daughter Sophia; and her son Constantine (Stan) Sarides Tzouvelekas, his wife Kelly Massey Tzouvelekas and their daughters Carolina and Eva.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers who provided such dedication and extraordinary love and devotion to Irene over the past months.

Visitation will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, followed by a Trisagion service at 12:30 p.m. and the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. The burial will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park immediately following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Irene Sarides Tzouvelekas to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 406 North Academy Street, Greenville, SC 29201.