On Saturday July 22nd Ilena K Kontinos (AKA Mrs. Beech Mountain) gained her angel wings and went home to the Lord.

She was born February 9, 1962, in Ft. Myers Florida. A daughter of Bella Elaine Kontinos and the late John Konstantine Kontinos.

Ilena was one in a million, and was just too good for this world. She was a devout Greek Orthodox follower, and loved going to church. She was a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church- a church her father built- since she was born, and when she moved to North Carolina became a member of Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church.

She was a great mother, and leader. She was a coach to her children, and believed in education and health. Ilena loved her children for who they are. She loved her community, animals, working at the visitors center, and most importantly she loved slinging pizzas! Ilena loved being a mom. She would always tell them "I love my life because of you!", and "better me than my children."

The only thing that she may have loved more was being a Yia Yia. She was so good at it, and loved her Babikey so much. Ilena was also a fighter. She was a very strong woman, and if you knew her you're smiling as you read this. In 2004 when the doctors said "you have stage 4 cancer" and gave her 3 months, she told them I'll give you 20 years. And that is what she did. Ilena lived for her children.

As Ilena would say… always remember these three things; forgiveness, kindness and mercy.

Proverbs 31:28-30 "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

In addition to her mother, she is survived by one daughter, Annie Evangeline Accardi, two sons, Johnny Accardi and Jimmie Accardi and wife McKenzie, and one grandson, James Samuel Accardi III, all of Beech Mountain: one brother, Tom Kontinos, and one nephew John Kontinos and one niece Athana Kontinos.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one sister, Annie Kontinos.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday July 27, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Christ the Savior Greek Orthodox Church, 150 Elizabeth Ann Circle, Bluff City, TN 37618. Rev. Fr. Stephen Mathewes will officiate. A graveside service and burial will be held at 2:00 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock, NC.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7:00 until 9:00 PM at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.

A celebration of life for family and friends will follow the graveside service will be from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Stonewalls restaurant in Banner Elk, 344 shawneehaw Ave S, Banner elk NC 28604. They will play some of Ilenas favorite music, enjoy light fare bites & beverages/full bar. Enjoy celebrating the beautiful Ilena and her life.

Hampton Funeral & Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.