Leone Charlotte Torres

Leone Charlotte Kuhn Torres passed away peacefully on September 14, 2023 with her husband, Juan Luis Torres, by her side. She was 94. Leone or “Oma” as most people knew her, was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Born on January 15th, 1929 in West Germany to Valentine Kuhn and Irma Troesser Kuhn, Leone was the eldest of four children. Her siblings included sisters Erna Bauer (Horst), Gerda Stockman (Edmund) and Karl Kuhn (Renate). She attended public school in her hometown and as a young woman, traveled to Worms, Germany for business school. At the movie theater in November 1948, Leone met the love of her life, Juan Torres or “Johnny” as she came to call him. For Johnny, it was love at first sight; for Leone, it was the beginning of a beautiful life together. They courted for three years and married on December 1, 1951.

And so, it began. In the spring of ’52, the newly married couple traveled from Germany to the United States by ship. Military assignments took them on grand adventures around the world. Over the years they welcomed three children, Ingrid, Alan, and Melissa. Nothing brought Leone more joy than her family. She was a dedicated homemaker who loved baking, knitting, and crocheting. A great listener, Leone would give you advice and the shirt off her back if she thought you needed it. She and Johnny, settled in Columbia, South Carolina where they raised their three children, went to church every Sunday, and lived out their American dream.

Leone’s heart grew as her family expanded, and she became “Oma” meaning “Grandmother” in German. She was blessed with eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, three of whom are named in her honor. Oma was born to be a grandmother and her love was beyond measure. She gave the best hugs, always had chocolate, and rarely let them leave her house without a little pocket money.

Oma is survived by her incredibly devoted husband, Juan Torres (Opa); her children, Ingrid O’Neal (Gene), Alan Torres (Kathy), and Melissa Patch (Patrick); her grandchildren, Matthew Torres (Laura), Lindsey Slagle (Lowell), Jessica Torres (Brian), Kevin O’Neal (Christi), David O’Neal (Vanessa), Kelly Patch and Grayson Patch. She is preceded in death by her grandson, Sgt. John Thomas, Jr. Oma is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Alex Thomas, Eric O’Neal, Becca O’Neal, Ashton Torres, Lilah Torres, Isabella O’Neal, Charlotte O’Neal, Charlotte Slagle, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and her beloved dachshund, Leo.

A funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held at 10 am, Friday, September 22, 2023 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 195 Amicks Ferry Rd., Chapin, SC 29036. The burial will immediately follow at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the caregivers from Right at Home, West Columbia, who were so kind to Oma and her loved ones. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Leone to Wounded Warrior Project, https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaign/In-Memory-of-Leone-Torres, are welcomed.

Funeral arrangements are coordinated by Dunbar Funeral Home in Irmo.