Ava Scott Demopulos

1931 - 2025

Ava Scott Demopulos
12/28/1931 - 08/14/2025
Ava Clair Christian Scott Demopulos passed away peacefully at the age of 93 in the comfort of her home on Thursday, August 14, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Ava was born in Jacksonville, Texas to Carl (Ike) Clifton and Lorine Straub Christian on December 28, 1931. An only child, she moved frequently with her parents due to her dad's career in the oil industry with Haliburton. Her favorite place to live was Alice, Texas where she made many friends, joined a scout group and had a bike to ride. She took tap dance lessons for 12 years and reveled in her once-a-year recitals where she was transported to a world of glamor and show biz in the costumes that her mother handmade for her; This probably explains her lifelong love of classic musicals. Her family eventually settled in Kilgore where she graduated from Kilgore High School in 1950. Ava was born in the depths of the depression which prompted her mother to announce "this girl is going to college" and she did, attending The University of Texas at Austin where she pledged Zeta Tau Alpha and graduated in 1953 with a B.S in Elementary Education. Ava was a lifetime "Longhorn Through & Through".
She began her teaching career in Port Arthur teaching 1st grade, and it was there that she was soon introduced to Wallie Scott through a blind date. She recalled it was love at first sight, noting she got weak in the knees when she saw that he was handsome as well as "squeaky clean". In 1955 she traveled to France to teach for a year with the U.S. Army, and upon her return promptly received a marriage proposal from Wallie. Married in Lubbock in February 1958 they resided briefly in College Station, relocating to Houston that same year where Wallie's architectural firm, Caudill Rowlett Scott (CRS) had decided to establish the company. Their first daughter, Amy Gene was born in 1959, and followed shortly by a second daughter, Lisbeth Lorine, in 1960. While Wallie worked to build the CRS brand, Ava threw herself into caring for their young daughters, making friends in a new city and volunteer work with the AIA Wives Auxiliary. The family was completed in 1963 with the birth of their son John Christian.
Ava loved being a stay-at-home mother as well as being a part of fun friend and exercise groups. Gardening and cooking were two of her passions; she will be remembered by many for her famous recipes including her turkey gumbo as well as her jalapeno spinach on the holidays.
Ava spent her time during her kids' growing up years volunteering, both at their schools and at Memorial Drive UMC teaching Sunday school and participating in VBS. She and Wallie embraced John's high school years as he played football for the Memorial Mustangs, participating in the Booster Club and the Mustang Parents, hosting aftergame parties and creating lifelong friendships in the process. It was also during this time that she joined Houston Assistance League which kindled her devotion to helping others.
When Ava's nest began to empty and her daughter pledged ZTA in college, her love of sisterhood was rekindled. She found herself knee deep in ZTA recruitment and new 'sisters' entered her life and never left. She and Wallie also began traveling in earnest, taking many trips both abroad and stateside.
When Wallie passed away suddenly in 1989 she marched on like a trooper, continuing her love of travel and volunteer work, including at Chapelwood UMC in the Kitchen and Special Events ministries, and attending Broadway shows. In 1991 she was blessed with a second husband; Dimitri 'Jimmie' Demopulos (also an architect and Texas A&M Aggie-apparently, she had a type). Together they traveled the world, threw great parties, and welcomed six grandchildren. Ava thrived as a 'Gaga'; She was beloved by each and every one of her grandchildren and in return she loved them more than life itself. Her time with Jimmie was cut too short with his ALS diagnosis, and in 2001 she said good bye to the second love of her life.
After Jimmie's death Ava embraced life with her kids and grandkids, continuing "The Beach" tradition at Galveston every summer, taking a Caribbean cruise for her 75th birthday and a Costa Rica trip for her 80th birthday where she became a legend ziplining and riding the rapids.
Ava's greatest wish was to remain in her beautiful home to the end. She was able to accomplish this with the devoted help of her caregivers Debbie Dimas and Felipe Uribe. We will be forever grateful for the love, gentle care, and companionship that they provided to mother and to us until the end.
Ava is survived by her children and their spouses, Amy and Mark Sorley of Fort Worth, Lisbeth and Stephen Geis and John and Katie Scott of Houston; Her grandchildren, Claire Olivia and her husband Tanner Hemphill of Houston, William Reid and his wife Hannah Sorley of Austin, Ellen Renee and her husband Ben Clayton of Tyler, Sarah Beth and her husband Ricky Aldridge of Orlando, Florida; Carley Ava Scott and Case Christian Scott of Austin. She is also survived by her eight great-grandchildren.
She will be truly and forever missed.
A Memorial Service will be held in Ava's remembrance at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay St., Houtson, TX 77024, on Friday, August 22, at 1:00p.m.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Chapelwood United Methodist Church Foundation www.chapelwood.org