Santos Padilla

In loving memory of Santos Padilla, born on November 17, 1947, in Idalou, Texas, she departed this earthly realm on November 23, 2025, enveloped in the warmth of her family’s love in Lubbock, Texas. Santos, affectionately known as "NaNa" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, embodied the essence of nurturing and kinship, fulfilling her role as a domestic goddess with unparalleled devotion.

Her life was rich with a tapestry of cherished moments spent cooking delicious meals and sewing lovingly crafted blankets—acts of kindness that ensured no loved one suffered from hunger or cold under her vigilant care. Santos was indeed the heart and joy of every family gathering, her laughter and spirit infusing each occasion with warmth and exuberance.

As a devoted wife for 45 years to her husband, Salvador Padilla, Santos astutely balanced the roles of partner and matriarch. She was a loving mother for 56 years, guiding and nurturing her children: Mary Jane Fabro of Lubbock, Cruz DeLeon Jr. of San Antonio, and Kris Lio DeLeon alongside Nancy Rocha Padilla of Lubbock. The legacy of her love will forever endure, cradling the hearts of those she cherished especially her 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Santos also held dear her siblings: Felipe de Jesus Rocha of Lubbock, Rosa Maria Cabello, and Maria Del Carmen Huey of San Antonio, alongside a multitude of friends who were drawn to her radiant spirit. Her familial roots ran deep, tracing back to her beloved parents, Santiago Rocha and Eloiza Gonzales, and she carried the memory of her departed son, Jaime Padilla, and her brothers, Heraclio Rocha and Margarito G. Rocha, in her heart, as they watched over her from above.

Her contributions to the lives she touched are immeasurable; she was not only a caregiver but a beacon of hope, love, and tenacity, whose absence will be profoundly felt. Santos Padilla was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure, leaving behind a legacy brimming with memories that will forever reverberate in the hearts of her family and friends.

Visitation for Santos will take place at Guajardo Funeral Chapels in Lubbock on November 25, 2025, from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM, followed by a funeral service on November 26, 2025, at 9:00 AM. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects before her burial at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park in Woodrow at 10:30 AM on the same day.

As we gather to celebrate the incredible life of Santos Padilla, we find solace in the memories we hold close and in the love that she cultivated throughout her journey on this earth.