Maria Louise Mollohan

Maria Louise Mollohan, of Columbia, SC, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2026. Born in Riverhead, New York, on October 30, 1959, she was the daughter of the late Carl Richard Mollohan, Sr. and Maddalena Regina Mollohan. Maria was the youngest of seven children. With a smile that could light up any room, Maria was known for her warmth, generosity, gracious hospitality, and impeccable sense of style.

Growing up her family lived in different places due to her father’s service in the United States Air Force for 30 years. After New York, the family moved to West Virginia, Maine, the Philippines, and finally Sumter, SC.

In 1981, Maria graduated from the University of South Carolina with an Associate of Science degree and Bachelor of Arts in Education. Shortly after graduating, she became a pharmaceutical sales representative for the Upjohn Company for four years - receiving their Outstanding Award for overall sales performance. She had also received The Henry P. King Award for outstanding leadership in 1997 and Professional Business Woman of the Year in 1989 by the Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce. This was the beginning of a long career as she continued in sales as the Warner-Lambert (Parke-Davis) Sales Representative and then with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals as their Senior Sales Consultant. Maria was consistently recognized as a top-performing sales leader, achieving regional and district rankings, exceeding sales goals, earning induction into the Masters Program, received the Tough Minded Leadership Award and Vice President’s Cabinet Award in 2006 as the #1 Sales Representative. After more than 30 years in pharmaceutical sales, she worked for Profile by Sanford as a business development specialist followed by Carolina Gardens Assisted Living Facility as the guest services representative. Wherever Maria worked she took pride in her ability to build relationships of trust and respect with her customers and teammates.

In 1991, Maria married Dalton Sheppherd, Jr of Columbia, SC. They enjoyed welcoming family and friends to their Lake Murray home for over 12 years.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Jim Mollohan of Dallas, GA, Willie Mollohan of Tombstone, AZ, and Carl (Rick) Mollohan of Columbia, SC. She was also predeceased by her former husband, Dalton Sheppherd, Jr.

She is survived by sisters Pat White (Billy) of Manning, SC, and Tena Lewellen (Bob) of Wasilla, AK; brother Donald Mollohan (Meg) of Columbia, SC and sisters-in-law Margaret (Jim) Mollohan of Dallas, GA and Bonnie Shansky. Nephews and nieces: Stacey (Amy) Mollohan of Dallas, GA; Ricky Mollohan (Erica) of Columbia, SC; Danny Mollohan, Las Vegas: Joanie (Peggy); Matthew Mollohan (Sophie), Batesburg, SC; Jonathan Mollohan (Andrea) of Savannah, GA; Christy Arrington (Greg) of Rhome, TX; Donny Wingate (Nancy) of Anchorage, AK; Shawn Wingate (Christa), Arvada, Co; Buck White, Sumter SC; Tena White, Manning SC. Also Timothy, Laura, Rena, Ricky (Willie Mollohan).

She also leaves behind 20 plus grandnieces and grandnephews. Her cousins Steve Stump (Pam), of Mineral, Va; and Fred Stump (Pam) of Charlottesville, Va. and stepdaughters (Dalton Sheppard) - Adell Keen (Henry), Pam Hoskins (Tom), and Valerie Wallace (Scott).

Maria’s beloved four-legged companion, Blue, will dearly miss her and faithfully carry her love in his heart until they are reunited in heaven.

She was dearly loved by Jay Graham, her longtime friend whose devotion, steadfast support, and caring presence never wavered.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to “Maria’s Ladies” who cared for her during her final months. They radiated grace and compassion even in the darkest moments of Maria’s battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). They were such blessings to the family.

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research - click this Contributions ML Mollohan to follow the link: https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=3584&np=true

A memorial service will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine, Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 12:00pm.