Maria S. Reyes

COLUMBIA - Maria S. Reyes, age 94, passed away in Nashville on December 9, 2022. Born in the Sudetenland (now located in the Czech Republic), she was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Berta Schleifer, her husband Jesus S. Reyes, her beloved daughter Christa Maria Reyes, and her brother Werner Schleifer. She is survived by her daughter Edelgard Kincaid (Phil) and granddaughter Katharine Kincaid.

After World War II, Maria and her family endured great trauma when they were forced to leave their home and had to relocate to Germany. It was there that she met her husband who was stationed in Germany with the US Army. With him, she came to the United States, and after several moves eventually settled in Columbia where she cultivated a wide circle of friends. Drawing on the skills she learned during a three-year apprenticeship in Germany, Maria started a sewing and alteration business out of her home in the Shandon area, where countless people entrusted her to alter their most precious garments. Many of these customers eventually became lifelong friends. She was a vivacious hostess, opening her home to all. Nobody went hungry at Maria’s house, where everyone was served her famous rum bomb cake with coffee. During the last four years of her life for reasons of poor health, she lived with her daughter in Nashville, but her heart always belonged in Columbia.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, December 15th at 11:00 AM at St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church located at 2229 Hampton St. Columbia. The family will receive friends one hour prior (10AM – 11AM) to the service at the church. Burial will take place at 1:00 PM at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.