Sara Silva

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful beloved mother, Sara Belen Silva, who passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, at the age of 91.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 14, 2025, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2000 Kay Circle, Columbus, GA 31907. A Rosary will be held at 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2025, with visitation to follow until 7:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907. Sara will be laid to rest at Ft. Benning Main Post Cemetery alongside her husband.

Sara was born in Manatí, Puerto Rico, on January 6, 1934, to the late Francisco Torres and Eufemia Colón Torres. She graduated high school and began working at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico Post Exchange where she met the love of her life, German Silva-Torres Sr. They married September 12, 1954. She was a devoted military wife and followed German throughout his Army career living in Louisiana, Colorado, Germany, France, North Carolina and Fort Benning, Georgia where they settled in1962 and created a foundation of love, resilience and togetherness that would define their family for generations.

Sara lived a life filled with love and faith. Proud of her ethnicity, Sara carried her culture in her heart and into her kitchen. She loved nothing more than to have her family, grandchildren and close friends together to cook her famous Arroz Con Gandules which we can all attest was “THE BEST” in Columbus. Her home was the center of all holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations, playing cards (Poquino) with her latina friends, hosting friends for afternoon coffee and dessert and watching her favorite team the Atlanta Braves. Sara was the heart and soul of the Silva family. With warmth and devotion, she built a large close-knit family whose love for one another was and continues to be her greatest joy and achievement.

Sara earned her cosmetology degree while raising 5 children. After working at salons as a beautician, she decided to open and run her own business out of her home so she could continue caring for her 5 children. She later opened Sara’s Beauty Salon in South Columbus in 1980. Sara had a successful and fulfilling career. Her clients became her loyal lifelong friends with which she had a strong sense of care and dedication to answer the calls from families to fix their mother’s hair after their passing. It was a selfless, loving and caring act of kindness.

She was actively involved in numerous community organizations. To name a few, she was a member of the American Business Women Association, a greeter at the Rivercenter of the Performing Arts, and hosted at the Ft. Benning Infantry Museum. She graduated from Columbus Police Department Citizen Law Enforcement Academy at 80 years of age. She was never one to shy away from the spotlight. Sara was a member and participated in the Southwest Georgia Senior Pageant where her grace, confidence and beauty truly shined.

Her faith was a guiding force in her life. As a devout Catholic, Sara was a dedicated parishioner of St. Anne’s Catholic Church where she sang in the choir during Saturday evening mass. She volunteered with the Ladies Auxiliary, supported the Knight of Columbus potlucks, and was a member of the Council of Catholic Women. She was most honored and passionate to be a participating Minister of Holy Communion for the Sick and Homebound.

Sara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, German Silva-Torres, Sr. and her loving son Gary Silva. Though their loss left a space in her heart, we take comfort knowing they are joyfully reunited.

She is survived by her loving children: German Silva Jr (Billie) of Columbus, GA, Maritza Carr (Tom) of Cataula, GA, Hector Silva of Columbus, GA and Evy Tuggle (Ron) of Savannah, GA; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Also left to cherish her memory are her sister, Monin Torres of Carolina, Puerto Rico; brother, Sinforoso Torres Colón of Manatí, Puerto Rico; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Sara Belen Silva leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and service. Her warmth, her faith, and her enduring love for family, friends and community will never be forgotten. We will forever love you, Mom, to the moon and back.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Sara’s memory to St. Anne Catholic Church.