Nadezhda Zalozh

Nadezhda Ivanovna Zalozh, 77, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, formerly of Sedalia, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. She was born on January 10, 1949, in Serpneve, Ukraine, the daughter of Ivan Kharlampovich Georgiyev and Aleksandra Petrovna (Panatova) Georgiyeva, who preceded her in death.

On September 27, 1970, in Izmail, Ukraine, Nadezhda was united in marriage to her beloved husband, Mikhail Kupriyanovich Zalozh, who preceded her in death on January 14, 2021.

Nadezhda spent much of her childhood in Izmail, Ukraine. In 1992, she immigrated to the United States, settling in Portland, Oregon. In April 2001, her family moved to Sedalia, Missouri, where she made her home for many years. In August 2024, she relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Nadezhda completed technical school and worked as an accountant for a large company. During her youth in Ukraine, an eighth-grade education was considered full formal schooling, yet Nadezhda's lifelong commitment to learning, faith, and service far exceeded any classroom boundaries.

She was a devoted Christian and an active member of her church and community wherever she lived. Her heart overflowed with love, which she shared generously through acts of kindness, visiting the sick, supporting new mothers, singing in the church choir, participating in prayer groups, and serving those in need. Hospitality was one of her greatest gifts; she expressed love through cooking and feeding her family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. Nadezhda found joy in blessing others with thoughtful gifts.

In her younger years, she was a talented musician who played the guitar and mandolin. She was also passionate about gardening, nature, and enjoying fellowship with her family and church friends.

She was truly a woman after God's own heart, living out her faith through simple yet powerful acts of service, joyfully driving friends who could no longer drive themselves and offering steady care with patience and grace. Her Christlike spirit and unwavering compassion touched countless lives.

Nadezhda is survived by nine children: Lily Pitsul (Ivan), Zhanna Franchuk (Aleksandr), Yelena Pike (Johnathan), Tatiana Heitman (Oleg), Nataliya Koshukharenko (Aleksandr), Gennadiy Zalozh (Svetlana), Vladimir Zalozh (Svetlana), Viktor Zalozh (Anastasia), Mikhail Zalozh, and Olga Vakulich (Alex); 34 grandchildren: Vianna, Mariam, Mark, Evelina, Isaac, and Andrew Pitsul; Val, Suzanna, Alina, Lilianna, Margarita, Rueben, and Evnika Franchuk; Elizabeth, Vanessa, and Johnny Valesa; Augustine and Elianna Zalozh; Vanessa, Joseph, and Azariah Kozhukharenko; Kristina, Sofia, Yana, and Diana Zalozh; Amariah and Vladisvet Zalozh; Kseniya Zalozh; Isaiah, Elijah, Juliet, Mikey, and Jesse Vakulich; 16 great-grandchildren; one brother Viktor Georgiyev; and four sisters, Vera Kozhukharenko, Lidiya Belovol, Tatyana Divinets, and Valentina Fedayeva.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Oleksandr Zalozh, and three brothers, Anatoliy, Petr, and Vladimir Georgiyev, also her granddaughter Angelika Franchuk.

A prayer service will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Word of Life Church, Sedalia, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, also at Word of Life Church.

Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, Sedalia, Missouri.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rea Funeral Chapel.