Georgia Syribeys

Georgia Syribeys

April 1, 1934 - July 17, 2026

Georgia Syribeys, a scholar, poet, teacher, and passionate advocate for excellence, passed away at the age of 92. Born on April 1, 1934, in Montgomery, Alabama, she was the daughter of Athena Hondros Syribeys and Petros Syribeys. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dr. John Syribeys.

Raised in a bicultural household, Georgia spent much of her early childhood in Greece and became fluent in both Greek and English. Her lifelong love of language, literature, and classical learning shaped the course of her life. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Ancient Greek and Classics from Agnes Scott College and went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law.

Georgia's professional life reflected her fierce intellect and independent spirit. Over the years she worked as a private investigator, feminist lobbyist, and itinerant Latin teacher. In midlife, she discovered another calling in poetry and immersed herself in creative writing studies at Georgia State University. Her poetry was published in fifteen literary journals, and in 2015 she published her collection, Sea Seething At My Feet.

Those who knew Georgia remember her as a force of nature - intensely intelligent, deeply cultured, and driven by a relentless aspiration toward excellence. She possessed profound passions for music, opera, classical literature, and above all, her family. She took immense joy in following the lives, achievements, and adventures of her children and grandchildren, and was known to serenade them with a birthday song on their special day.

Georgia is survived by her children: Athena Sotus-Nawar; Maria Christina and her husband, Mark; Eva Sotus; and Chris Sotus and his wife, Laurie. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Athena Holbrook; Christopher Nawar and his wife, Yasmine; Alex Nawar and his husband, Andrea; and Zoe Nawar; as well as two cherished great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind beloved nephews, their spouses and children, and her sister-in-law Margaret Syribeys Hansen.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to Pascale Mirambeau, Angela Pratt, and Agape Hospice for their care and devotion. In lieu of flowers, donations in Georgia's memory may be made to the Georgia State University Foundation. More information can be found at Georgia State University Foundation.