Mary Josephine Sias

Mary Josephine Sias, loving wife of the late Charles Robert Sias MD, passed away peacefully at Columbus Hospice House, March 3, 2016 at the age of 94. A devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she was surrounded by her adoring daughters, granddaughter and four of her great grandchildren. Father Patrick Scully of St. Peter's Catholic Church in LaGrange, GA administered Last Rites. Mary slipped softly away to Heaven listening to a video of Amazing Grace, sung acapella by her great granddaughter Kaylin at the Funeral of Charles Sias MD in Arlington National Cemetery, April 15, 2011. She was a longtime resident of Spring Harbor in Columbus, GA after having lived in Summerville SC and Orlando FL most of her married life.
Mary Sias was born April 17, 1921 in Steelton, Pennsylvania. She met her husband while living in New York City 23 years later. She was working as a Bell Telephone operator at Grand Central Station, during WWII, when Navy Lieutenant Commander, Charles "Doc" Sias, was standing in a long line of soldiers waiting to call home. It was closing time, yet Mary offered to stay late to help her future husband make a telephone call. Afterwards, she joined "Doc", ship's physician on the Destroyer U.S.S. Butler, for an evening of dinner and dancing at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. And the rest is history... They were married a month later on November 19, 1944 for a lifetime.
Mary Sias shared the love of flowers and the beauty of God's world with her husband and family. She was a member of the American Rhododendron Society and Callaway Gardens for many years. It is fitting that she was born and died in the springtime - one of her favorite seasons.
Mary Sias also loved the arts, especially music and dance. Hence her little girls enjoyed years of dance and piano lessons, as well as trips to New York City to see plays and musicals. Her daughters, Ginny and Cindy, studied with the Joffrey Ballet in New York.
Mary Sias is survived by three daughters, Nancy Sias Kustermann of La Grange, GA, who was born in San Francisco, CA; Virginia Mary Sias Vilensons of Las Vegas, Nevada and Cynthia Ann Sias Wales of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington, who were born in Orlando, FL; and son-in-laws, Robert Kustermann and Dr. Alan Wales. She would want beloved son-in-law John Vilensons, Colonel in the Air Force, deceased remembered here.
She is survived by her precious granddaughter Christine Ashley Trapnell Sporrer, and grandson-in-law Kevin Sporrer of Sharpsburg, GA. Chrissy and Kevin blessed Mary Sias with four precious great-grandchildren, Kaylin Vela Sporrer 12, Charles Sias "Chaz" Sporrer 10, Colton Jerry Sporrer 7 and Camille Elizabeth Sporrer 4 who always brought "Gigi" proud smiles, laughter, and happy tears.
She is survived by grandson Thomas Harper and granddaughter-in-law Timna Harper of Sacramento, CA. Tom is the son of Cynthia Sias Wales. Tom and Timna's precious children, Jaden Anneliesa Harper, Lucas Asher Harper and Bodhi Harper were a joy to Mary Sias who treasured moments and photos of all of her great grandchildren.
The family will have a private Memorial Service. Mary Sias will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery alongside her husband. McMullen Funeral Home in Columbus is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, friends and family may make a contribution to St. Peter's Catholic Church, LaGrange, GA; or Columbus Hospice House, Columbus GA where Mary Sias received such loving and exceptional care her last days.

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