Voula Harakas Copses

Paraskevi “Voula” Harakas Copses

Voula Harakas Copses passed away peacefully on March 24, 2025.

Voula was born on Christmas Day of 1932 in Karyes, Greece, a small village near Sparta. As the oldest child and only daughter of Fotini Diamadouros and Konstantine N. Harakas, her childhood was anything but easy. Her family lived through the burning of parts of their village during the WWII occupation of Greece and they endured the impoverished conditions of its unsteady aftermath. Voula became a natural caregiver, watching over her 3 younger siblings. She developed strengths of kindness, hospitality, hard work, loyalty, and service that stayed with her all her life, even granting her the nickname, “Saint Voula,” amongst friends and family. She truly had a servant’s heart!

Like many Greeks of her generation, Voula’s family immigrated to America. Although she completed high school in Tripoli, Greece, she rose to the challenge of attending and graduating from Greenville High School while simultaneously learning English. Not only did she learn the English language, but recently shared with her children that she also played on the GHS girls basketball team! She took a job at Thompson Handkerchief in Accounting, which was fitting for her as the daughter of a tailor, and which fostered her lifelong interest in sewing, lace, and fabrics. In 1956, Voula was reintroduced to her future husband at a Greek wedding. Pano (Pete) Copses was also born in Karyes but had immigrated with his brother Bill Copses to Toronto, Canada. Pete and Voula married in 1957 and eventually settled in Spartanburg, SC. They soon partnered with the Stathakis family to open the Sugar ‘n Spice, a classic 60’s drive-in diner. Voula contributed her talents as a Greek pastry chef and as a math whiz keeping the books for decades at “The Spice.”

Voula is survived by her husband of 68 years, Pete Copses, her brother, Billy Harakas (Maria), her three children, Trissie, John (J.C), and Dino Copses and his wife Meg, as well as Voula’s closest friend and sister-in-law, Loula Copses. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Dr. Nicholas K. Harakas, and Tony K. Harakas. Voula was a devoted “Yiayia” to her three grandchildren Parras Black (Ray), Olive Copses, and Luca Copses, who will remember her generosity, her delicate manner, and her sincere sweetness, perfectly represented by her legendary loukoumades and pastries. She will also be remembered by cousins, nieces, and nephews in Greece and America as well as the many adoptive friends-turned-family whom she welcomed into her home for countless meals over the years. “Thea Voula” was a tireless hostess, never blinking at the idea of inviting 40-50 people for Christmas or Easter celebrations. She showed her love so tangibly by preparing her “tiropites,” her garden-grown “vlita” greens, and of course, her famous “dipla” desserts. Anyone sitting at her table understood Voula’s culinary artistry. “Kali orexi” (Bon Appetit!) was her love language and her pursuit of excellence.

Voula’s talents and heart for service extended seamlessly into her church family. She was a devout and faithful member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Spartanburg since 1961, serving on the Ladies Philoptochos Society, including holding the position of Treasurer. She was also very active in the many successful Greek Festivals. In addition, she was active in the Karyes Adelphotis Society.

Visitation for friends and family will be at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St. Spartanburg, SC. on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm with a Trisagion prayer service at 7:30 pm. Funeral service will be at 12 O’clock noon, Saturday, March 29, 2025, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 697 Asheville Hwy., Spartanburg, SC 29303 followed by interment at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

Our family wants to thank all the caregivers from Spartanburg Regional Hospice and Summit Hills Memory Care who were with us until her last breath! Thank you! “Efharisto Poli”!

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 1107, Spartanburg, SC 29307 are welcome.

Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel