Maria A. Nikopoulou was born in Viniani, Evrytanias on March 26th, 1933 to Apostolis and Eleni Nikopoulos. Her siblings were Andigonie (Hondros) and Sotirios Nikopoulos. Her father Apostolis had left for America in 1939 in search of a better opportunity. The onset of World War II that followed separated the family for eight long years. After the war in 1947, with the help of the Red Cross the family was reunited in Greenville, North Carolina. There Maria met Pete Papageorge (1923-1992)─who was born in the village of Marathia in Evrytanias─and they were married in 1954. Pete was a proud Mason and Shriner. The couple first lived in Warrenton, North Carolina, where they welcome their first child Stelios. Later, the family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they built their forever home and welcomed their daughter Effie. "Maroula" loved cooking for her family. Some of her favorite recipes were Spanakopita, Zmaropita, and homemade bread. She was deeply devoted to her church, and took great joy in baking for the Greek festival and spending time with her beloved grandchildren. Her memory will live on through her great-grandchildren.