Julianne Stansberry Balitsaris

Julianne Stansberry Balitsaris took her final curtain call on November 20, 2018, when she passed away peaceful at age 94. Mrs. Balitsaris, known as Anne to her friends and family and Gigi to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born on May 8, 1924 to the late Frank and Kathryn Stansberry. She grew up in Pittsburg, Pa., and was graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Fine Arts/Drama. A member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Anne was voted Campus Queen in 1946. The bright lights of New York called, and Anne moved to New York City, working at American Airlines while pursuing a career in theater. Knoxville was to become home because the dashing man she fell in love with in Pittsburg when she was only 16 was now a University of Tennessee graduate, playing football at UT and pursuing a law degree. She married George P. Balitsaris, who became the first judge to preside over Knox County Criminal Court’s Division III, and moved to Knoxville. A beloved drama teacher, Anne worked at Farragut Elementary and Middle schools, teaching language arts and drama from 1965 until retirement in 1992. She created the FMS Drama Club, and the theater at the school is named for her. Anne was proud to be a descendant of Luke Stansberry, an American Revolutionary soldier, and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she also served as regent. She was one of the first Girl Scout leaders to form a troop in Farragut and worked for many years as a docent at the Farragut Folklife Museum. Anne was also a long-time member of Concord United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Balitsaris is preceded in death by her husband, the Hon. Judge George P. Balitsaris; daughter, Anastasia Balitsaris; brother-in-law, Raymond Roth; and son-in-law, Michael R. Moore. She leaves behind daughters, Theresa B. Moore and Amy B. Melendy (David); grandchildren, Julie Barnhart Ellis (Jeremy); David H. Melendy (Diana); all of Knoxville; and Justin A. Melendy of Baltimore; great-grandchildren, Isabella Ellis, Julian Melendy and Bennett Melendy; sister, Kathryn Roth of Pittsburg; and cousins, Don Stansberry II, Frank R. Stansberry, Skip Stansberry, Marney Wilder, and Tom Marsh. The family wishes to send special thanks and love to Judy Young, who loved and cared for Anne for many years. Family will be receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, with the service to follow. Interment will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, at Highland Memorial Cemetery. Donations may be made to the CADES program of Concord United Methodist Church and Young Williams Animal Shelter.

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Julianne Stansberry Balitsaris

May 8, 1924 - November 20, 2018