Ellen Hill Xoinis
Ellen Hill Xoinis, 83, passed away unexpectedly at her home of 60 years on Mountain View Drive, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Her husband of 64 years (James) Demetrius Konstantine Xoinis preceded her in death on February 28, 2019. Mrs. Xoinis was also preceded in death by her mother and father, Eva Dawson Hill and Hardy Flowers Hill, her mother and father-in-law, Eleni Dimopoulos Xoinis and Konstantine Xoinis, who perished in the Greek Civil War, and her brothers Carlton Hill and Horace Hill, and baby sister Geraldine Hill, and her brothers-in-law John Nicolou and John Xoinis, and her sisters-in-law, Maria Xoinis Kythas and Voula Nicolou.
She is survived by her daughters, Carol Xoinis West and Penelope Xoinis Jensen, and sons Konstantine Dimitrios Xoinis and Matthew Jay Xoinis, her brother Glenn Hill and sister Eleanor Evans, her brothers-in-law Jack Evans and Constantine (Gus) Kythas, and sisters-in-law, Starvoula Xoinis and Evelyn Hill; sons-in-law, Steve West and Bill Jensen. She very much loved her grandchildren, Peyton Layne West, Konstantine Dimitrios Xoinis, Jr., Jamie Lee West, Alexandra Maegan Xoinis, Nicholas William Xoinis, and Jonathan Paul Xoinis, and great grandchildren, Oscar Brutus West, Archer Wyatt West, and Violet Sky West, and their mother Jessica West; and her nephews, Michael Hill, Mark Hill, Charles Hill, Wayne Hill, David Evans, Leon Kolokithas, Harry Kythas, Konstantine Pericles Xoinis, and Konstantine Nicolou; and her nieces, Elena Xoinis Rollins, and Helen Nicolou.
Mrs. Xoinis loved all her neighbors on Mountain View Drive and especially her friends Buddy Blevins, Eddie Eddington, Bobbie Gass, Martha and Ronnie Vaughn, and Tobey Hulgan.
Mrs. Xoinis was born and raised in South Hill, Virginia, a small town of about 1,640 residents and about 90 miles south of Richmond, Virginia, near the North Carolina border. Farming and tobacco were the primary industries of the time and area. She grew up in a small home on Bedford Street. Her father worked as a mechanic in a local auto dealership, and her mother was a homemaker and later worked at Burlington Mills. They also raised a large garden with all the fresh vegetables, fruits, snaps, and lettuces. She attended South Hill Elementary and South Hill High School and graduated in June 1954. She was brought up in a Christian household and church and lived and passed on her love, sense of humor, her welcoming spirit and kindness to all she met. She made everyone feel as though they were part of the family.
Mrs. Xoinis was also very athletic and loved to play sports, particularly softball, while growing up and on into her adult years. She played softball at Warner Park and played in her later years with her daughter, Penelope. She was always one of the best players on the team. She was truly awesome. Throughout her adult life, Mrs. Xoinis maintained an active lifestyle, running in road race events, swimming at Siskins Wellness Center, walking in the neighborhood, and even riding a bicycle until her last day.
Mrs. Xoinis met her future husband, James Xoinis, in South Hill, Virginia. He worked at the Ambassador Restaurant, and she worked just across the street at the local grocery store. Mrs. Xoinis’ high school friends Francis, Vivian, and Nicki Kustos (cousins of James) also played a match-making role with James and Ellen. Both families were quite surprised with James and Ellen’s relationship, regarding the cultural and national differences. However, as it were, love won the day. Today both families would say they were perfect for each other, and they had a very blessed, long and happy life together.
In January 1955 James and Ellen were married and moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where they had their first child, Carol Xoinis. In 1957 James and Ellen moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where
they partnered with James’ brothers John Nicolou and John Xoinis, to own and operate the Ol’ South Restaurant (formerly Brown’s Barbecue, now renovated) on South Broad Street until 1984 when James retired. They held Greek Night two nights a week, serving authentic Greek cuisine in the private dining room. On a daily basis, Ellen typed and mimeographed the lunch and dinner menus for the restaurant as well as worked many other roles in the restaurant. She also worked at the Gannaway Dry Cleaners, the Towel & Linen, Inc., and Sathers Candy Company in Lookout Valley over her lifetime.
From 1957 to 1975 three other children were born to James and Ellen Xoinis, Konstantine (Dino), Penelope, and Matthew. Ellen was a homemaker and always supported her family, community, and
grandchildren, coming to afterschool practices, softball games, and piano lessons. She was a leader in the Girl Scouts and Brownies and served over the years at St. Elmo Avenue Baptist Church, Lookout Valley Baptist Church, and Wauhatchie United Methodist Church.
Additionally, Ellen held roles as:
- Church Musician at Sanford Memorial Baptist, Brodnax, VA
- Sunday School Director - Children's Department, at St. Elmo Avenue Baptist Church
- Food Preparer Wednesday Night Meals - Lookout Valley Baptist Church
- Member of Prayer Chain - Wauhatchie United Methodist Church
- Girls Softball Coach - Lookout Valley Recreation Center
- PTA Member and Officer - John A Patten Elementary, Lookout Valley Junior and Senior High School
- Room Mother - John A. Patten Elementary, Lookout Valley Junior and Senior High School
- Booster Club Member - Lookout Valley Junior and Senior High School
- Girl Scout Troop Leader - Moccasin Bend Troop 19
- Patron of Chattanooga Music Teachers Association
Ellen Xoinis was a very kind and caring, gracious and strong woman and mother. No matter what, she was super mom. She always had your back and there was nothing that she could not help with or give you the courage to accomplish. Her glass was not just half full, it was always full! Ellen was very independent, even until her last day. She would always help others before allowing others to help her. She visited the sick and elderly and sometimes cooked for her neighbors.
She was a wonderful mother and wife and showed love, loyalty, and respect all the days of her life. She was also a caregiver to her husband. Ellen will be greatly missed and her life will be celebrated
by all who knew her. May her memory be eternal.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 22, at 12:00pm-2:00pm at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. The funeral service will begin at 2:00pm, and an onsite interment will occur in the mausoleum following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wauhatchie United Methodist Church, 3401 Cummings Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37419.
Ellen Hill Xoinis