COLUMBIA - Saleema Sabbagha Cobb passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 27, 2020. She was the daughter of the late Agnes Davis Sabbagha and George Zachary Sabbagha. She was born on April 16, 1948 and graced us with love and affection for 72 years. She is survived by her sister, Farida Sabbagha Smoak; her brother, Joseph Christopher Sabbagha; her husband of 52 years, Jackson L. Cobb; her daughter, Christina Cobb Horton; her daughter, Wendy Shannon Sullivan; and three grandchildren, Grayson Andrew Horton, Parker Curtis Horton, and August Elsie Horton.
Saleema graduated from Columbia High School in 1966 and from the University of South Carolina in 1986 with a BA degree in art history. She joined Jack in operating Cobb & Sabbagha Realty and Carolina Carpet Corporation in 1983 when her brother George passed away. She worked along-side Jack for the last 37 years as a partner, mentor, and adviser. Carolina Carpets was an export company that sold carpet, carpet yarn, and furniture all over the world. She often traveled with Jack to attend trade shows in Germany and England, and combined work and pleasure by visiting many of the world’s great cities. She made two around the world trips but her greatest pleasure on these travels was visiting the great art museums, and the great architectural wonders of the world. She did an Independent Study while a senior at The University of South Carolina on the architecture of Egypt. She toured all the great sites in Egypt and along the way she gathered many of the fellow passengers on that trip to her side as she gave better tours of the wonders than the paid tour guide on that trip. Recently the South Carolina State Museum had an exhibition of replicas of the treasurers of Tutankhamun’s tomb. She served as docent for the museum and gave extraordinary tours of the exhibit. Her tales of the tomb and the symbology behind many of the items were a pleasure and privilege to hear.
In 1993 she cofounded with Jack Christy’s Christmas. Christy’s Christmas grew from a small, temporary store operation, to the largest store in Broadway at the Beach. The Broadway Store opened in 1995 and it was a showcase of her artistic talents. The store won national awards from the Christmas Industry for her innovative and decorative designs and her incredible Christmas Village displays. She was the merchandiser, the designer, and the overall manager of the operation. She attended trade shows all across the country and made friends with many of the owners of the top Christmas Stores in the nation.
She was a talented and published author. She had numerous articles published in local and regional magazines but her opus magnus was an historical novel she recently completed – “Sea Wind”. A novel she had long conceived as the appropriate sequel to Gone With The Wind.
Her decorating and artistic skills were supremely utilized in the building and design of our home in Myrtle Beach. “Cape Cobb” is a truly unique home with each room and bedroom decorated around a single theme. The bedroom themes include Egyptian, Gone with Wind, Oriental, Moby Dick, and Disney. It’s a beautiful and fun place to spend a week on the beach.
She loved all holidays and our home was always decorated for each occasion. She loved entertaining and her Halloween and New Year’s Eve parties are fondly remembered by all who were lucky enough to attend. She could do a dinner for four or seat 50 people to dine as the occasion required.
She was a member and past officer of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She proudly presented both of our daughters in turn as debutants and then members of the DAR. She was already planning the activities that will surround her granddaughter August’s introduction as a debutant.
Her talents and abilities were many but her greatest love was bestowed upon her family. She was constantly planning family events and kept us all close to each other as well as close to her heart. Her grandchildren were the source of some of her happiest times. She organized so many family trips to Disney World that we can no longer count the times. In the summer she had pool parties for the family every Sunday afternoon and no one’s birthday got by without celebration.
There will be a visitation at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2020. The funeral service will be held at St. Andrews Baptist Church, 230 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210 at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2020, followed by a graveside service in Woodridge Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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