Carmen Rosa "Cuqui" Yost

Carmen Rosa "Cuqui" Yost, 92 of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Born on December 6, 1932, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Cuqui was the daughter of the late Amparo Ortega (Velez) Loperena and Antonio Loperena.

Cuqui was a young academic who sailed through school and received her high school diploma at the age of 15. Cuqui worked her way through college to lovingly contribute to her mother and sister and received her engineering degree. She was also an artist and displayed her talents in various ways, putting her personal touch to gifts given, certificates presented and was able to create her in-laws headstone, in Olde English Lettering, which was sandblasted on their headstone.

Cuqui’s greatest accomplishment were her three children and all that they brought to her life. Our mom was the light of our lives and everyone she met. She shared her Christian beliefs, offered prayers, lit candles and held steadfast until her prayers were answered.

Cuqui is preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Amparo Loperena; sister, Eden Alba Loperena Ortega and grandson, Zachary William Yost.

She is survived by her sons, Robert Yost, Jr. and Duane W. Yost (Hilda) and her daughter, Eden Y. Daly. She also leaves behind her grandson, Cameron P. Yost (Chelsea), and granddaughters Shelby R. Daly, Shannon Y. McGinnis (Alex) and Ashley M. Yost. She was blessed to be called Mela by her great grandson, Cooper Zachary Yost.

The funeral service will take place at 10:00am on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Charleston “Agape”. 

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - James Island, 347 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-614-8494.