Maria Thomas Whitehead

Maria Thomas Whitehead, 87, passed away peacefully at The Methodist Manor in Florence, South Carolina on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Maria was born on February 24, 1939, in Lake City, South Carolina, daughter of the late Dr. James D. Whitehead, Sr. and Maria Weaver Whitehead. She was a lifelong member of Lake City Presbyterian Church until her move to a cottage at The Methodist Manor in Florence. At that time, she became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Florence.

Maria graduated from Lake City High School in 1957 and from Columbia College in 1964, with biology and chemistry degrees. She was a medical technologist at MUSC and later taught at Saint Andrews Parish High School. Maria received a Masters Degree in public health from UNC Chapel Hill and was an assistant professor at East Tennessee University from 1970 to 1978. She then had a long career at DHEC in Columbia, South Carolina, and published multiple articles and made numerous presentations on chronic illness and hypertension.

Upon retiring, Maria returned to the family home in Lake City and took care of her parents and sister. She was the family historian and was devoted to her nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and took great pride in following their careers and achievements. Maria always searched for the perfect gift for each child and made her “Ria Ria” cookies for every holiday and birthday.

Surviving are her sister, Harriett Whitehead; brothers, J. D. Whitehead, Jr. (Retta) and Alva Whitehead (Ida); nieces, Gini Summerall (Craig), Maria Anderson Whitehead (Ryan); nephews, Jim Whitehead (Crissy), Weave Whitehead (Emily, Van Whitehead (Leigh), Edmund Whitehead; 12 grand nieces and nephews.

A family graveside service will be held at 1:30 PM, Monday, July 27, 2026, at The Lake City Cemetery, South Church Street, Lake City, South Carolina.

A Celebration of Maria’s Life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Lynches Lake Historical Society, 238 E. Main Street, Lake City, SC 29560.

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