Eleftheria Mavrokefalos

Eleftheria, known to family and friends as Lula, was born May 17, 1943, in Ioannina, Greece to Alexis and Ifigenia Gounta. In 1971 she left Greece with her cousin to move to America. They lived in Los Angeles where she met, and soon after married, Hristos Mavrokefalos. They moved back to Greece for a few years, then returned to the United States. In 1992 they moved to Bakersfield and opened the Golden Ox Restaurant. Together, Lula and Hristos worked hard making a success of the business, which is still owned and run by the family. Lula always found time to care for her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She enjoyed having her family around her and loved cooking for them. Her Spanakopita are claimed to be second to none by her sons.

While her boys were in school, Lula was adamant about attending all their sports activities. She could always be found at their games with yarn and knitting needles or crochet hook in hand, enjoying her crafts while she patiently waited for them.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Anna Maria; and in 2019 by her husband, Hristos. After he died, Lula found comfort in watching the sports channels Hristos had loved.

Survivors include her two sons, Gerasimos and Alex Mavrokefalos; grandchildren, Briana, Hristos and Jessica, Zachary; and the light of her life, great grandson, Oliver.

Trisagion will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 12th at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Funeral service will be at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday October 13th, also at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Southwest.

To honor Lula, the Golden Ox on White Lane will be closed on Wednesday.