The Shunnarah family is saddened to announce that Cleopatra Abraham Kassees Shunnarah, 69, made her transition into eternal light on Friday, November 8, 2019 in Birmingham, AL. Cleo was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, the eldest of seven children to Najla Abraham Kassees and Abraham Attallah Kassees on July 17, 1950.
As a teenager, Cleo, along with her family, moved to Jacksonville, Florida where she enjoyed many circles of friends. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and became a beautician. Later she worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield. On February 18, 1973 she married Nadim George Shunnarah and moved to Birmingham, AL where she continued working for Blue Cross until her retirement. In later years, Cleo and Nadim went into the restaurant business owning and operating The Pita Stop’s two locations in the Southside of Birmingham and Cahaba Heights.
Cleo was a member of St. George Melkite Greek-Catholic Church. She loved swimming, traveling and shopping. She enjoyed hosting guests at The Pita Stop. Friends remember her generosity, her organizational skills, and her love of Motown and Throwback music.
Cleo was active in the Ramallah Club of Birmingham, instrumental in helping host the Birmingham club’s conventions and mid-year conventions of the American Federation of Ramallah Palestine. Cleo enjoyed taking on many duties to organize activities that ensured the satisfaction and pleasure of convention attendees.
Cleo was preceded in death by her father, Abraham Attallah Kassees; brother, Essam Abraham Kassees; and sister, Taj Maher Abraham Kassees.
She is survived by her husband, Nadim George Shunnarah; son, Nadim George Shunnarah, Jr.; mother, Najla Abraham Kassees; brothers Naseem Abraham Kassees (Jane) and General Romal Abraham Kassees; sisters, Seham Abraham Kassees-Salazar (David) and Dulyla Abraham Kassees and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at St. George Melkite Greek-Catholic Church, 425 16th Ave S, Birmingham, AL. Visitation will be on Monday, November 11, 2019 from 4pm to 5:45pm; the memorial service begins at 5:45 pm. The funeral will be on Tuesday, November 12, at 10am at the church.
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