Maria Teresa Hernandez of Peachtree City, Ga. was first and foremost a loving mother and businesswoman. Maria was born in 1926 into a privileged family in Bogota, Colombia as the great-granddaughter of two presidents of Colombia. She was raised in a family that believed everyone deserved certain rights and freedom and she became a political activist working with the underground movement to defeat communism in her native country of Colombia. She was known to carry anti-communist leaflets and supplies under her stomach, hoping the communist military would not search a pregnant woman. The fact that she was actually pregnant helped maintain her cover.
Maria and her husband Luis decided the political turmoil in Colombia was not an environment they wanted to raise a family in, so they sold everything and moved to Coral Gables, Fla. in 1957 to raise their growing family. Not content to head into retirement with her husband, Maria was most proud that she along with her husband Luis founded Plastikos, Incorporated (a fiberglass company) in 1980, when they should have been starting their retirement.
In 1990, with Maria as President of the company Plastikos relocated to Peachtree City. Maria was the guiding force behind setting up and growing Plastikos. Luis and Maria invested their life savings of 30 years in developing what they would always refer to as their family business. Luis provided the technical knowledge and Maria managed the business side. They were proud of the legacy they could leave to their children and grandchildren.
When Luis passed away, Maria continued on as President of Plastikos. She worked tirelessly going into the office every day until she was 83 years old. Her employees loved her and she knew every aspect of the business she managed with honesty and integrity. She was active in the management and operations of Plastikos until her death.
She is survived by her children, Elsa Perryman, George Hernandez, Maria T. Creasey, Sonia Reed and John Hernandez, 10 grand-children and 6 great-grandchildren. She was loved dearly and will be missed by her family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.
Memorial services will be held in Florida. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her name to Children’s Health Care of Atlanta 1600 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30329-2303. Telephone 404-785-7000 and website: www.choa.org.
