Maria Vernee Searles was born on May 6, 1976 in Greenwood, SC. She was the daughter of Rev. Melvin and Mary Patterson Searles. Maria gained her heavily wings on Thursday January 17, 2024. She was 47 years old.

Maria was a member of Pleasant Lane Missionary Baptist Church in Edgefield, SC where she served as Youth Choir Director, member of the Pleasant Lane Sanctuary Choir, Assistant to the Music Director, President of the Youth and Chair of the Fall Festival. She was also the director of The Friendship Community Choir. She was a 1994 graduate of McCormick High School. and a 1997 graduate of Piedmont Technical College. She worked as a CNA before retirement.

Maria was preceded in death by her brother, Kelvin Searles.

Maria’s memories will be cherished by her parents Rev. Melvin and Mary Patterson Searles of McCormick, SC; daughters, Malia Vonnel Tabb and Shamaria Vernee Searles Brown both of McCormick, SC; sisters, Zandria L. Searles Wilson (John) of Spartanburg, SC and Tillia N. Hill of Statham, GA; brothers, Melvin Searles Jr. ( Shantai) of Greenwood, SC and Daryll M. Searles of Gray Court, SC, her godson, Karson L. Kelly, goddaughter, Milliana Q. Holmes and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.