Mrs. Valentina Akopian, 89 of Columbia, SC, died on Tuesday October 7th, 2025. Born on June
19, 1936, in Georgia, Soviet Union, She was the daughter of the late father Ararat and late
mother Ashken Gevorkyan. Valentina also had a sister Julia and a brother Samuel. She was a
very loving daughter, mother, and sister.

Valentina married to Stephan Gotsizidze , the love of her life in 1966. Years later they were blessed with a son David and 9 years later with a daughter Gayane. Valentina and her husband Stephan lived very happily but unfortunately her husband passed away and she had to move to Armenia to live with her parents and raise her children. Valentina belonged to the Armenian Apostolic Church. She worked at an army recruiting center in Yerevan, Armenia. She was very well respected and liked by her coworkers and friends.

In 2001, Valentina left Armenia to join her son in the United States and ever since then has lived with her sons family. Valentina was very happy and enjoyed her new home in the United States. She enjoyed trying new foods, watching movies, cooking and discovering new recipes, and exploring the cities of the new country she came to. Valentina preceded in death by her parents listed above.

A funeral service to honor Mrs. Valentina's life will be held at 1 o'clock on Thursday, October 16th, 2025, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext. Columbia, South Carolina 29223. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 12 o'clock until 1 o'clock. Committal will follow the service at Greenhaven Memorial Gardens, 11020 Two Notch Road, Elgin, South Carolina 29045.

Following the burial, all are invited to a small gathering that will be held at the Akopian home, 313 Park Shore Drive, East Columbia, SC 29223.