Charisse Pappas

Charisse Pappas, 68, of Jefferson City, MO., died on August 3, 2025. She was born on September 15, 1956, in St. Louis, Mo., to parents Bette Pappas (nee Koprivia) and Theodore A. Pappas.
Charisse completed a B.A. in sociology with a minor in journalism at the University of Missouri and an M.A. in gerontontology at Trinity University in San Antonia, Texas. She was always grateful for her time in San Antonia - the stipend that allowed her to acquire her M.A.; the vastness, Beauty and colors of the geography; and the bi-cultural setting.
Following graduation, Charisse worked in radio and co-founded the Lakeshore Times, a direct mail weekly in St. Charles County that provided opportunities in desktop publishing for young designers. Charisse managed elder housing in Chicago and Austin and took very seriously the responsibilities of caring for other people's parents. The desire to be available to her own parents as they aged brought her back to Missouri, where she worked for the Missouri Division of Again and Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) in Jefferson City. IN the DHSS Director's office, she finally combined her journalism and gerontology expertise as she highlighted the contributions of older Missourians.
Charisse (underrate pen name C.C. Rising) wrote and award-winning book, The Camel and the Scorpion. It was about the first American to be arrested for espionage against the State of Israel. She also loved playing the guitar. She learned in her teens and then picked it up again at 50. She expressed gratitude for her guitar teacher, who opened whole new vistas for her. Charisse co-wrote three songs: "Mijo Maestro," a tribute to her guitar teacher; "Peter Peter," about a member of an amateur musical group she joined; and "Pure Love," an expression of gratitude for the unconditional love she received from her loved ones even as her health declined. Charisse considered it one of her greatest blessings to have an identical twin to talk to throughout her life who always understood her. She reflected this appreciation by consistently reaching out to others with kindness.
Charisse is survived by her wife, Catherine R. Edwards, her twin sister, Cynthia Pappas; her sister Candace Simmons; five nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews.
Her parents and a brother, Theodore "Stacy" Pappas, preceded her in death.
Memorials in Charisse's name may be made to the Missouri River Regional Library Foundation, P.O. Box 1285, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102, or Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Foundation, 1299 Lafayette Street, Jefferson City, Mo., 65101.
Memorial services are pending and will be announced at a later date.