The popular steak and spaghetti houses included a downtown Nashville location, as well as the original location that opened in Murfreesboro in 1989 and locations in Lebanon, Hendersonville and Florence, Ala.
"She was the heart and soul of Demos'," said her son, Peter Demos, president of the restaurant company.
She was considered a mother to many of the employees who worked under her direction for the past 20 years, said daughter Felicia Demos, who is chief financial officer of the business
"She treated every employee the way she treated me and Peter," Felicia said. "She raised us with common sense and loving discipline."
Although in good health most of her life, she suffered a massive stroke Tuesday night that caused hemorrhaging next to her brain stem, Peter said. She died Wednesday afternoon, he said.
She is also survived by her husband, Jim P. Demos, co-owner and founder of the restaurant; a brother; and two grandchildren. She lived in Murfreesboro and handled much of the business in the front of the restaurants, dealing with servers, cashiers, hosts and customers.
Visitation will be from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today in Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Murfreesboro. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to A Soldier's Child Inc., P.O. Box 333015, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37133-3015.
The Daily News Journal contributed to this report. Contact Bonna Johnson at 615-726-5990 or bjohnson@tennessean.com.
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