Tamara Sue Mace Urbina, of Columbia South Carolina went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 15th, 2023, after a long and hard-fought battle with an auto-immune disease. In the days leading to her homecoming, she was surrounded by her family and those she loved so very well throughout her life.

Tamara, best known as Tami, was born on July 25th, 1964, to Frederick and Dorothy Mace in Key West Florida. Tami was born into a military family which afforded her the opportunity to live in many places throughout her early years. One of those favorite places was Honolulu Hawaii. Each move she was quick to make friends and slow to let go of them. She was a loyal friend to all, finding the best attributes in a person and reminding them of their value. She continued to be that kind of friend through adulthood. Much of her correspondence throughout her adult life was to those friends she made as a child from all over the United States. Tami graduated from Lake Braddock High School in 1982. She attended Geneva College just prior to spreading her wings in the workplace. She was a great communicator in the workplace with an infectious laugh and positive outlook on life.

It wasn't long before Tami met the love of her life Steve Urbina, a Naval Graduate from the U. S. Naval Academy of Annapolis Maryland. Steve and Tami were married in May of 1987 at the United States Naval Academy. Steve was a faithful husband and gracious father to their three children. Their family settled in Purcellville Virginia after military service for the United States Marine Corps and called Purcellville home for twenty-nine years. Their recent move to Columbia South Carolina was to be the start of their retirement years together - Tami loved warm weather, southern hospitality, sweet tea, and Crepe myrtle trees.

Tami's passion was people. She loved people of all walks of life. She loved to hear their stories, learn more about them and minister to them. Her gift was hospitality and she practiced it often. While Tami's illness limited her a great deal, she was always up for a visitor. She was known to say, "If you want to come over and see a clean house, give me notice, otherwise just come on in the front door is open." Tami served sweet tea to all. She was famous for her pumpkin chocolate chip cookies while also famous for serving Dorito scrambled eggs to overnight guests. Tami was an encourager. She was a discerning woman who was wise in council.

Tami's first love was for that of her faith. She was a faithful servant, committed in prayer and scripture reading daily. She loved to share the gospel with all those she came across. While Tami was long suffering in her illness, she was a wonderful example of trusting God through her daily trials.

Her second love was that of her family. She honored her husband in word and action and was married for 37 years. She was a committed mother to their three children Timothy, Lauren, and Adam. Tami was granted twenty years to help raise their children after her first diagnosis at age thirty-nine. She was able to witness each of their children's high school, and college graduations. She attended the marriages of both their son Tim and daughter Lauren. The apple of her eye was her granddaughter, Sofia. Tami loved all the little children in her life, and those who were most privileged had the honor of calling her "Lovey".

Tami is predeceased by her father Frederick Earl Mace Jr. who died in October 1996. She is survived by her husband Steve Urbina, her children Timothy Urbina, his wife Annie and daughter Sofia; daughter Lauren Urbina Keshavarz and husband Pejmahn Keshavarz; and son Adam Urbina. Surviving also is her mother Dorothy Mace of Gouldsboro, Maine and her two sisters: Lisa Tweed of Madison Connecticut and Amy Looman of St. Johns Florida.

A private family burial will be planned for the family at the Ebenezer Cemetery in Bluemont Virginia. Tami will rest in the foothills she called home for most of her adult life.

A Celebration of Life service is set for Thursday, January 25th, 2024, at 1:00pm at Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield Virginia. A reception will follow.

If you wish to make a charitable donation in Tami's honor, the Isaiah 117 House in Lynchburg Virginia was very dear to her heart. It is a non-profit that supports foster children until a placement is found, and allows them to have a home-like environment rather than a government building while they await their next chapter. We have included the following link for your convenience:

https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_d1e4cb37-eaa2-11e9-bd68-02c84ba2543a&WidgetId=58589186