Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Thursday, December 31, 2009 3:25 pm

Doris Demos

Doris Smith Demos was described as an “American patriot” for her support of the Tennessee National Guard, especially the 269th Military Police unit based in Murfreesboro.

Demos, 74, the co-owner of Demos’ Steak and Spaghetti House with husband Jim, died Wednesday at Middle Tennessee Medical Center. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Episcopal Church where she was a member.

Retiring Tennessee Adjutant Gen. Gus Hargett said Demos “adopted” the 269th Military Police company by providing meals for the families while the soldiers served overseas in Iraq.

Hargett presented her a “Center of Influence” award for her support of the soldiers and their families. Demos cared about the effort of the soldiers and their families and the sacrifices they made.

“She was a patriot and an American patriot first,” Hargett said.

Hargett and Demos corresponded by writing notes to each other.

“She just cared so much,” Hargett said. “It means the world to us.”

He offered condolences to her family.

“She will be missed by the whole community,” Hargett said.

Like Hargett, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Stephanie Brackman appreciated the support of Demos and her family.

“The Demos’ have been long-time supporters of the chamber,” Brackman said. “They didn’t always agree but continued to support us. That is my opinion is the true business spirit.”

Jim and Doris Demos were honored several years ago as the chamber’s Business People of the Year.

“They have contributed to the success of the chamber for many years,” Brackman said.

Like most customers, Brackman remembered eating meals at Demos’ when the co-owner would stop at the table and ask about the meal.

Brackman admired her “fiery spirit. She could say something so funny and to the point. If someone else said it, they couldn’t get away with it but she did because she was Mrs. Demos.”

Son Peter described his mother as being tough and compassionate.

“What she said, you did,” the son recalled.

She instilled in him a love of reading because she read to him every night when he was young.

His mother showed her compassion by giving him fresh flowers for his prom date because he was sick and unable to work and buy the flowers himself.

Demos helped people in need without telling anyone about her deeds.

He, his father and sister, Felicia, have been overwhelmed by the community response through phone calls, Facebook and texts. People who worked for the restaurant when it opened 20 years ago commented about how much they cared about her and her lasting impact.

“She was the epitome of tough love,” Peter Demos remembered. “Her father was the same with her as she was with us. She was a very good mother. She didn’t try to be our friend but she was our friend.”