Sophia Johnson Booras

Sophia Johnson (Giannakopoulos) Booras, 91, fell asleep in the Lord surrounded by family on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Visitation is Friday, January 3, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, LA with a Trisagion service at 6:00 p.m. Funeral is Saturday, January 4, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1719 Creswell Ave., Shreveport, LA with Father Ioannis Krokos officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

She was born in the village of Kato Hora, Nafpaktos, Greece on March 13, 1933 (or September 26, 1936). Sophia was the youngest of seven children born to Sotiris “Taki” and Evanthia Stergiou Giannakopoulos. Sophia’s young life in Greece became tumultuous during World War II with invasions by the Nazis, the Italians and even worse the Greeks and their civil war. This upheaval ignited her dream to come to the United States in 1951. Her aunt and uncle, Demetra and Tom Johnson of Monroe, LA, assumed the responsibility of bringing Sophia, then a teenager, and three of her siblings to the U.S. She arrived at Ellis Island along with her brother Gus on the S.S. Constitution; when she saw the Statue of Liberty, she knew her life was changing for the better. At Ellis Island, Sophia Giannakopoulos became Sophia Johnson.

Having finished only six grades of school, she was determined to learn the English language and took it upon herself to study a Greek-English dictionary nightly. This and watching American television, like “I Love Lucy”, helped expand her vocabulary. Later in life, Sophia proudly earned her G.E.D. in 1979.

In 1955, Sophia met George Booras at a Greek dance in Monroe, thanks to the prodding of his sister-in-law, Nikki Booras, who told him there was a “cute, Greek girl he needed to meet.” Six weeks later, Sophia and George became engaged and married on December 11, 1955 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Monroe.

Their new lives together began in George’s hometown of Shreveport. She didn’t know how to cook when they first got married, but quickly learned from the older Greek ladies in the church community how to prepare delicious Greek food and pastries. This began her lifelong love and talent for cooking.

George and Sophia’s family expanded to include four children, two boys and two girls. Her life revolved around her family and the St. George Greek Orthodox Church community. Even with four little children at home, she began her 60-year dedication of baking Greek pastries for numerous church fundraising events especially the annual pastry sale. 

Sophia was active in her children’s school activities, whether it was trudging through high rainwaters to get them to musical kindergarten or bringing dinner for her working sons at sporting events. No matter what she was doing, she always prepared a full dinner for her family every night. One of her greatest joys in life was to cook and feed others, whether it was her immediate family or a Booras family dinner for 40.

Her life drastically changed again when George passed away unexpectedly in 1980 at the age of 54. Although her children were older, she took on the responsibility of raising her family on her own and went to work.

She began working as a hostess at two Shreveport fine dining establishments, Sansone’s Restaurant for lunch and Brocato’s Restaurant for dinner. Although it was hard work, she loved being around the lively atmosphere, meeting people like Sam Walton of Walmart fame and Van Cliburn, the renowned pianist.

After the restaurants closed, Sophia’s next career was in food service, cooking for the students at Northwest Louisiana Rehabilitation Center and later at LSU-Shreveport cafeteria, from which she retired in 2004.

Bored with retirement, Sophia began cooking Greek specialty items at The Sea Grille and Athenian Delights restaurants. Her Greek specialties also included making baklava for Albasha Restaurant. But she was well known in the community for her kourabiedes (white almond wedding cookies) which she prepared for several weddings and her pastitsio (Greek lasagna).

As her children married, Sophia became “Yiayia” to four grandchildren whom she adored and loved cooking family meals when they all gathered at her house. Her family also included her dogs, that were always a part of life at the Booras home.

Sophia was a 70-year, devoted member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Ladies Philoptochos Society and the Daughters of Penelope. She relied heavily on her Orthodox faith to help her through the good times and more importantly, the more difficult times of her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George C. Booras; her parents, Sotiris and Evanthia Giannakapoulos; aunt and uncle, Demetra and Tom Johnson; her siblings, Olga Siamas, twins Johnny S. Johnson and Koula (Vicky) Ballis, Gus Johnson, Tony (Antoni) Johnson and Magdalini Kostogiannis; and cousin, Johnny T. Johnson.

Sophia is survived by her children, Charlie and Patti Booras, Tommy and Margaret Booras, Evelyn and David Fuller and Georgia Booras; grandchildren, Elissa Booras, Alexander Fuller, Nicholas Booras, George Booras and fiancée, Abbie Norcross; and her beloved four-legged baby, George the dog. 

Honoring Sophia as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Alexander Fuller, Nicholas Booras and George Booras; Chris Booras, Steven Booras, Chris Morris, Johnny Meiki and Kevin Fentress.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Gus Alexander, Bobby Booras, Pat Booras, Pavlos Papavasiliou and Thanos Papavasiliou.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 44466, Shreveport, LA, 71134.

May her memory be eternal!