Therese Pappas

Therese Virginia Pappas, 90, of Kentwood, Michigan, went home to be with the LORD on October 3, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born in Detroit to Roland and Mildred Kneiding, Therese graduated from St. Rita's High School in 1953. She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Pappas, Jr. and grandson, Eric Carrier.⠀

Therese is survived by her children, Kathy (Fred) Vander Wall, Cheryl (Rich) Golladay, Mary (John) Carrier, Terri Eldridge, and Jim (Hilary) Pappas III; grandchildren, Aaron (Christa) Vander Wall, Chad (Amanda) Vander Wall, Ashlee (Karl) Tria, Rick (Samantha) Golladay Jr., Mitchell (Shalena) Carrier, Alex Carrier, Jack Carrier, Ethan Eldridge, Hudson Eldridge, and Averie Pappas; great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Eric Carrier, Tycen Tria, Hunter, Mackenna, and Cole Tomaszewski; and sister, Mary (Pat) Opipari.⠀

Therese loved the LORD, and her rock-solid faith remained steadfast to the end. Her family was always at the center throughout her long life, and she loved reading, puzzles, bingo, Tootsie Pops, and sports. A devoted University of Michigan and Detroit Tigers fan, she had an impressive memory for players, teams, and statistics.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Rev. Rick VanderWall officiating. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home and also on Thursday from 11-12 p.m prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Remember Eric – Fight Childhood Cancer at EricCarrier.com or mailed to: Remember Eric-Fight Childhood Cancer, 6398 Dausman Park, Clarksville, MI  48815.