Sheila Margaret Gianatos

Sheila Margaret Gianatos, 87, of Summerville, South Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

Born on March 29, 1938, in London, Sheila was the daughter of the late Bessie Holmgren and the late Alec Holmgren.

Sheila grew up during the challenges of World War II. Those early experiences shaped her strength, her perspective, and the way she approached every part of her life. She attended Princess Margaret Rose College in Windsor before coming to the United States as a young bride, beginning a life filled with hard work, resilience, and a deep love for the people around her.

Sheila spent more than 32 years in Charleston real estate as a Realtor and eventually the Broker in Charge of the Carolina One office on Folly Road. She was known for her honesty, her sharp insight, and the way she encouraged people to believe in themselves. She helped so many agents grow in their careers and in their confidence, and she took real pride in seeing others succeed. After retiring, she continued teaching through her Winner’s Mindset classes, where she focused on helping people understand their beliefs, set meaningful goals, and move past the things that hold them back.

Her own life was marked by profound challenges, including the loss of her son Gene, a battle with breast cancer, and the destruction of her home during Hurricane Hugo. Even through those hardships, she stayed steady and hopeful. She always found a way to rebuild with grace and optimism.

Beyond her work and her strength, Sheila’s personality shone through in the simple things that made her uniquely her. She made the most delicious cheese pennies and creamed corn and always loved a good British meal. She hated frogs and refused to go underwater. She loved the beach and treasured all the time spent with family at their condo on Folly. She could spend hours thrifting and had a gift for bringing new life to old furniture and jewelry she found. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, and she was a force in every aspect of her life.

More than anything, Sheila loved her family. Being surrounded by them brought her so much joy, and she was loved just as deeply in return.

In addition to her parents, Sheila is preceded in death by her son, Gene Williams; her husband, Thomas J. Gianatos; and her sisters, Jean Holmgren and Ethne Wright.

She is survived by her son, Colyn Williams and daughters Beth Williams & Kathleen Williams; her granddaughters, Logan Winkles (Josh), Jade Williams, and Cassidy Williams; and her great‑grandson, Archer Winkles.

The family will receive friends on Sunday January 4, 2026, from 3:00-4:00pm and the funeral service will be held from 4:00-5:00pm at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.