Maria Carballeira (de Cubas) Benning, of Atlanta, GA passed away at age 95 on July 30, 2018 at Chestnut Hill Senior Living in Highlands, NC. She will be dearly missed by her surviving sons, Carlos de Cubas and Jorge de Cubas and daughter-in-law Patrice Reynolds.

Maria was born in Havana, Cuba on April 14, 1923 to Euliala Carballeira. She entered the Daughters of Charity Orphanage at the age of three after her mother died. Maria was an excellent athlete and Cuban National Champion in the 400-meter dash and the Broad Jump. An honor graduate from the Colegio La Inmaculade, she received a full scholarship to Marian College in Indianapolis, IN. She graduated in 1944 with a degree in Liberal Arts and Business and spoke perfect English. Upon her return to Havana, she was employed by Sears Roebuck & Co. She worked for Sears in Havana, Miami, Birmingham and Atlanta for 43 years as an Executive Secretary until her retirement.

Maria met her first husband, Carlos de Cubas, at her high school where he was a coach of various sports, especially swimming and diving. Maria, Carlos and their two sons, Carlos Jr. and Jorge fled Fidel Castro's Communist revolution to Miami in 1960. She was immediately employed by Sears in their Latin America division. After Carlos' death in 1983, she married Ted Benning, Jr. of Atlanta, GA in 1991. A devoted wife, Maria traveled extensively with Ted and both were fervent Auburn and Atlanta hockey fans. Upon Ted's death in 2011, she moved to Chestnut Hill in Highlands, NC, where eldest son Carlos lived nearby and took great care of her. They often watched her favorite team the Atlanta Braves well into the evening.

Maria enjoyed her time at Chestnut Hill due to the great care and love of the staff and residents. On July 26th, Maria entered Four Season's Hospice care, and peacefully passed on July 30th. Maria loved playing tennis, having been well taught by her son Carlos who is a Tennis Pro. She played until she was 82. An admirer of Charles Lindbergh, she wanted to be a pilot in her early years; that dream was realized through son Jorge who became an airline pilot.

No services or memorials are planned.

The family asks that you do something you passionately love with the living memories of Maria by your side. The family invites donations in Maria's name to Cashiers Highlands Humane Society.

Macon Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Condolences can be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com

The family would like to thank the staff at Chestnut Hill for their loving kindness and care of Maria for the past seven years and for all their support during her final days.