Bessie S. Johns

Bessie Sarris Johns, 86, of Canonsburg and Clearwater, Fla., died Friday, June 12, 2020, at Suncoast Hospice Center in Palm Harbor, Fla.

She was born April 10, 1934, in Canonsburg, a daughter of the late Harry and Demetroula Kavourakis Sarris. 

She was a 1952 graduate of Cecil High School.

Bessie worked for more than three decades at Sarris Candies, helping her brother, Frank Sarris, at the popular Canonsburg candy shop.

She was an active member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in  Canonsburg, the Daughters of Penelope, and Philoptochos. She worked tirelessly for many years at the church’s popular annual food festival.

In January, 2019, Bessie moved to Atria Assisted Living in Clearwater, Fla., where she was known as an expert puzzle maker, lucky bingo player, and excellent poker player.

Bessie is survived by her daughter Amy Lynn Johns and son-in-law Pete Zapadka of Palm Harbor, Fla.; son Nick Johns and daughter-in-law Tracy Mele-Johns of Venetia; granddaughter Alisha and her husband Graham Cohen of Girard, Ohio; granddaughter Carly Johns of Venetia; stepgranddaughters Allison Zapadka Bean and Jessica Zapadka and stepgreat-granddaughter Layla McGrogan, all of Green Tree. Also surviving are a sister, Evelyn and her husband Eric Volas of Canonsburg; sister-in-law Athena Sarris of Canonsburg; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and so on, from Alaska to Florida, Australia to Europe.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, Manuel Johns; sisters Harriet Kay Andamasaris and Mary Sarris Kotlinski; and brother Frank Sarris.

There will be no public viewing, due to uncertainties related to  Covid-19. The family is holding a private funeral service at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 16.  Friends and family are encouraged to view the service live online at www.allsaintscbg.org/broadcast.

Private burial will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township, where Bessie will rest with her husband, a veteran of the Korean War.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services, Ltd., 30 E. College St Canonsburg, PA, 15317, Phillip L. Sollon, Supervisor, 724-746-1000.

Contributions may be made to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 601 West McMurray Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bessie S. Johns, please visit our floral store.