Maria Herminia Prieto Soto, 73, of Fayetteville, passed away on Thursday, 16 June 2022, at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton, NC, peacefully entering into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She was born on 22 March 1949 in Havana, Cuba to the late Evelio Prieto and Ysmelia Padron Prieto. Maria is a graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School in Miami, FL, and Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, NC. She enjoyed working as a dental assistant with Childers & Fredette, DDS, in Fayetteville, NC and USA DENTAC, Womack Army Medical Center, Ft. Bragg, NC until her retirement in 2001. She loved the patriotic character and cultural diversity of Fayetteville, her home of 50 years.

Maria was devoted to her family, and cherished family gatherings during holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries. Her family is blessed to have learned so many important lessons from her, to include love first; have faith; have purpose; work hard; do your best; be fearless; don't give up; speak up; be joyful; be grateful.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Jose Reinaldo Soto; sons, Mario Ray Soto of Woonsocket, RI, and Carlos Daniel Soto of Raleigh, NC; daughter Maria Del Carmen Soto Nelson of Durham, NC; grandchildren, Mario Ray Soto, Jr. of Durham, NC, Marissa Marie Soto of Raleigh, NC, and Matthew Rae Soto of Raleigh, NC; great-grandchildren Sophia Amelia Soto and Maximus (Maxi) Jonathan Soto.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday 28 June 2022 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301.

A funeral Mass and celebration of life ceremony will be held on Wednesday 29 June 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 2844 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304. The viewing hour prior to the funeral Mass will be from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at the church.

Entombment will follow at Cumberland Memorial Gardens, 4509 Raeford Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28304.

Online condolences may be sent to http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 2830