Evangeline "Eve" (Botsonis) Melotakis

Evangeline “Eve” Botsonis Melotakis, 85, died on May 6, 2023.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, on Monday, May 8, 2023, at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St.  A prayer service will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.  The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, May 9, 2023,  at St. John Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 Bell St., Amarillo, Texas 79106.

Eve was born December 23, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, to Fay and George Botsonis. She grew up in a small Greek community in Brooklyn, where she enjoyed dancing and was an accomplished ballerina at a local dance company. In 1955 at the young age of 18, her family decided they were tired of the fast pace of New York and moved to Amarillo, Texas, to be closer to her eldest brother stationed there.

Eve fell in love with the Amarillo community and joined the Greek Orthodox Church. She began working at the Bureau of Mines in Amarillo at age 19.  After a few years in Amarillo, Eve met Emmanuel “Manny” Melotakis at the Greek Church while attending a wedding. Manny was a charming and very handsome Air Force man that quickly became the love of her life. On June 26, 1960, she and Manny became husband and wife. Their beautiful marriage lasted 62 years until Manny’s passing in October 2022.

Eve worked at the Bureau of Mines/Helium Plant for 37 years. She was responsible for shipping helium all over the world. At her retirement party, her children heard some of the stories that were told about her during her employment. One story specifically stood out, which made them all laugh. When BNSF Railroad would not promise they could get a shipment of helium to the Houston Space Center, she threatened to call the President of the United States, and they could tell him why they couldn’t get the helium there on time. Apparently, the BNSF Railroad never missed another shipment. Her family knew how feisty she was and knew she did not take lip from anyone, especially when it came to her job.

Eve also shared the duties of helping the family business. She and Manny owned The Spudnut Shop off 3rd Street for many years. Before reporting to the office, Eve would deliver the Spudnuts to area businesses for their customers or employees.

Eve was a member of the St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church. She was very active and known for her cooking, organizing the bake sales, and any other fundraisers they needed. Eve was known by many for her delicious Baklava. She loved sharing her Greek heritage and her cooking with everyone. Eve enjoyed traveling to see her grandkids, participating in all their activities, dancing, fishing, and cooking.

Eve is preceded in death by her parents, Fay and George Botsonis, and her husband, Manny.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Faye and Gerald Palacio, and son, Manny and Donna Melotakis of Lantana, TX. Eve has three grandchildren, Breanna Melotakis of Las Colinas, TX; Mason and Ashley Melotakis of Alvord, TX; and Christina and Tanner Durington of Tuttle, OK. Eve also has two great-grandchildren, Croix and Harley Melotakis. Brothers Pete and Helene Botsonis and Spiro and Vervia Botsonis.

The family would like to thank the many people who cared for our precious mother this past year. Brookdale Assisted Living (Eve loved so many of the “girls”) and Brookdale Memory, who cared for her until she passed, Gentiva Home Hospice, Accent Home Health Care, Dr. Christopher Gulley, and Dr. Pedro Hernandez. The family would also like to thank Pete and Helene Botsonis, who helped them understand the health issues Eve was embarking upon this year.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be sent to St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church at 1101 Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79106.