Presvytera Berris was born Angela Bamikas in Clinton, Massachusetts on January 5, 1921.  Angela was the second of Markos and Maria Bamikas' six children: Helen, George, Olga, Louis, and Ioannitsa (Nitsa).  During the depression, her father worked as a barber.  Her mother was a seamstress, and in her later years, Presvytera Berris always maintained that she really should have been known as a designer.

Angela left school early to help support her family, working in a local doll factory.  She later supported the WACs and WAVES during World War II.  She also trained and worked as a hairdresser before and during the War

Eventually, Angela became a businesswoman and her own boss, buying a salon with her friend and business partner Rita Pellerin.  Together, the two owned and operated the Eleanor Beauty Shoppe on High Street in Clinton Massachusetts.  She always spoke with such pride when telling her children and grandchildren about owning and running her own salon.

In 1944, she met the love of her life, John George Berris.