Candess Margaret Strategos

Candess Margaret Strategos

11/02/1946 – 01/12/2022


Candess was born on November, 2nd 1946 in Memphis Tennessee to Sidney and Margaret Bailey and grew up in Benton Harbor Michigan. On July 31st 1966 she married her husband of 55 years James Strategos, of Los Angeles California, at the Greek Orthodox church in her home town in Michigan. They made their life in southern California and started their family which included four sons, Emmanuel, Stephen, Jimmy and Paul. Her three daughters in law, Erin, Nicole and Jami were the daughters to her she loved dearly. Mom had everything she ever wanted or needed in this life with her husband, children, grandchildren and great granddaughter. The motherly tears and concern for her family was our greatest source of strength and her unceasing prayers for all of her family has sustained us throughout our lives. Her grandchildren, Demetrius, Elias, Andrea, Isaiah, Marianna, Hannah, Lydia, Lukia, Leah, Constantine, John, Abby and Benjamin along with her great granddaughter Stella were the light of her life and kept her in prayer for many hours every week. Candess worked briefly outside of the home in childcare but being mom and Yiayia were her lifetime job and she never retired.
Mom left this life to be with her Lord and her beloved son Jimmy on January, 12 2022 and we will carry her in our hearts forever. We know that she is before the throne of Christ praying for all of us constantly and that those prayers will help to sustain us as we all navigate this life
Candess was predeceased by her son Jimmy and her parents, and she is survived by her husband, James, her three sons, three daughters in law, nephew Joseph (whom she raised as her own), thirteen grandchildren and great granddaughter.
Her empathy and compassion towards all and healing presence speak her message to be Christ-like with spiritual affection regardless of any situation. Gentleness, patience and kindness were the spiritual fruits she used to love everyone; she was a tireless advocate against adversity.

A Trisagion will be held on Tuesday, January 25th at 7:00 pm and a Funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 26th at 10:00 am. Both services will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church 401 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, Ca.