Mary (Maria) Lekas Costas

Mary (Maria) Lekas Costas was born in Orlando, Florida, on December 23, 1930, to Thomas Basil Lekas originally of Sparta, Greece, and Anastasia Demopoulos Lekas originally of Constantinople, Turkey. 

She fell asleep in the Lord on October 16, 2023. Mary was the beloved wife of Peter John Costas. Peter and Mary were married for 69 years. They had no children, and Mary was an only child. 

Mary was predeceased by her parents and her beloved husband, Peter. Survivors include her first cousin John Demopoulos (Barbara) of Winter Park, FL, and numerous cousins and extended family members. 

Mary was an active member of the Girl Scouts in the early 1940s and aided in their patriotic war efforts. She graduated from Central High School in 1949, where she was the harpist with the Central High School Concert Band. She was also the harpist with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra under conductor Theodore Russell for the 1947–1950 seasons. Mary won a superior rating from the Mississippi Federation of Music Clubs for five consecutive years and was awarded a piano scholarship for advanced studies. Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Millsaps College in 1967 and later taught Spanish at Jackson Preparatory School. 

She was a member of the Millsaps Singers. She and Peter were active in Millsaps College alumni activities. Mary served as organist and conductor at the Greek Orthodox Church in Jackson, Mississippi and later joined Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church in Madison, Mississippi. Mary resided at St. Catherine’s Village for the last few years of her life. 

Funeral services were held October 20, 2023 at Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church. 

Memorial donations honoring Mary may be made to Saint Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church, PO Box 2084 Madison, MS 39110, or the charity of your choice.