Kelly M Billeris, (Calliope Cosmas Margaritis Billeris), 100 years and 6 months, born on November 5th, 1923 in Palmetto Florida, a lifelong resident of Palmetto, joined her husband Nicholas Billeris of 61 years on May 6th, 2024. Private interment for Kelly and Nick to be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery at a later date.
Kelly is predeceased by her husband, Nicholas Billeris, DDS; brother James C. Moore Sr; parents, Cosmas Demetris Margaritis (Charles James Moore) and Anna Theophilus Monokandylos Margaritis (Moore) Sarafis; step father, Evangelos (Angelo) Haritos Sarafis. Kelly was of the first generation in her family born in the United States. She is survived by daughter, Anna Christine Billeris-Boast, of Palmetto (Gregory); son, John Michael Billeris, of Long Island (Holly); sister-in-law, Jackie Moore, of Palmetto; nephew, James C Moore Jr, of Palmetto (Cina); niece, Toni Moore Hampton, of Palmetto (Chuck); grand nephew, Jason Moore, of Palmetto (Jennifer); great grand nephews, Jacob Moore and Joshua Moore; great grand niece, Josie Moore, all of Palmetto.
Kelly attended Palmetto Elementary and Palmetto High School. Her fondest memory of attending high school was her place in the marching band as Drum Major. Her classmates of a close-knit community remembered her as Palmetto High's best "high-stepping" drum major. She lead the Palmetto High School marching band through downtown Bradenton at the first Desoto Celebration Parade in 1942. After graduating from high school in 1942, she attended Stetson University, and Florida Southern University where she earned her degree in Business Economics.
In 1948 Kelly married Nicholas Billeris of Tarpon Springs, Florida. She and her husband lived in Evanston, Illinois while he attended Northwestern Dental School. She assisted Nicholas in 1951 at the beginning of his dental practice in the historic Professional Building downtown Bradenton Florida.
Kelly was one of a few local residents born in Palmetto who lived her entire life in the hometown she so dearly loved. It was an era when friends and neighbors treasured their community, remembered when times were simple, and kindness was a way of life in Manatee County. Kelly lived in her Palmetto home she and her husband Nick built in 1955 until 8 days shy of her 100th birthday.
She was a loving wife and mother with a wonderful sense of humor. Kelly was so very proud of her Greek heritage and passed this pride onto her children and her community. She was Palmetto's greatest historian to her loving family and will be dearly missed.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nursing staff of Freedom Village of Bradenton, FL and Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton, FL for their loving care of Kelly.
Donations to:
Tidewell Foundation:
3550 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34239. https://tidewellfoundation.org/donate/
Griffith-Cline Funeral Home
