Maria Sara Hernandez-Cornejo

Maria better known as "Sarita", moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1971. In her younger years she was an incredibly hard worker and was notoriously known for working six days a week to build a better life as a single mother. She loved her daughter, Maricela, and granddaughter, Jennifer, immensely. She was incredibly proud of having hard-working, kind-hearted, and loving girls. Sarita always claimed both as her daughters due to their closeness. And she was beyond in love with her grand fur baby, Little Nugget.

She graciously battled cancer for six years at an elderly age. However, this did not deter her from being adventurous. Her fondest hobby was riding roller coasters. Despite undergoing a massive surgery at an elderly age due to cancer, she found the strength to ride the biggest roller coasters in California at the age of 70. She was brave and fearless in a way many will never be.

In 2023, Sarita was graciously looked after by her family and friends when her daughter and granddaughter moved to Charleston. As her illness began to progress, they all came together to lovingly help in any way possible until her girls were able to move her to Charleston to comfortably and medically live with them. Sarita lived her best time in South Carolina. She enjoyed all the Southern food, the trips to Myrtle, Orlando and all the local beaches, and most importantly, her girls, including baby Nugget.

She left very peacefully on July 11, 2025, after thoroughly enjoying her 85th birthday the day before. She was full of love, joy and laughter till the end. She will always be missed and loved by her family and friends.

Rest easy, Mom and Grandma, until we meet again. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, West Ashley.

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

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.