Margaret Brown Santos

Margaret Brown Santos

Margaret Brown Santos, of Carbondale, and formerly of Cobden, was born on April 27, 1929, in Cobden, and entered Heaven on June 18, 2022. 

Her parents, Merman and Ruth Brown, were hard working farm owners, with 13 children and eventful lives. 

Her childhood was typical of her time and circumstances: a blend of order and chaos, fun and sacrifice, plenitude and loss.

She fondly reflected on the games and activities of her youth, which were unique to rural Cobden and surmised that the fresh country air and demands of farm life fortified her throughout her years. Her family and community inspired that tenacity that was characteristically Margaret in everything she pursued, including academics, church life and her personal relationships.  

Margaret attended Cobden Grade School, University High School (valedictorian, senior class) and LA County General Hospital School of Nursing. She was known for her athletic, competitive nature, as well as her love of learning and mentoring others.

She left Cobden to pursue her nursing career in California, and following graduation she met and married Augustine Santos, of San Diego, Calif.. They had two daughters, Pamela and Angela, and had been married 33 years when Augustine passed away in 1989. 

Margaret spent her entire 40 year nursing career in radiation oncology, 28 of those years as nurse manager.

Upon her retirement in 1993, Margaret moved from Los Angeles to Huntington Beach, Calif., where she focused on things she loved best: food, friends, family, church and Sunday School, gardening, pets and puttering around her home. 

She was a loop of good nature, and her conversations were usually punctuated with several bouts of her high-pitched laughter, which no one could ever forget. Nobody hooted better.

In addition to her daughters, Margaret is survived by her youngest sister, Betty Hutton (Marvin, Bourbonnais, Ill.); brother-in-law Glenn Winstead (Cobden, Ill.); nieces Janice Hooks (Owensboro, Ky.); Donna Cover (Jeff, McCordsville, Ind.); Diana Uribe (Doug, Bourbonnais, Ill.); Shelia Lugo (Ernesto, Parkland, Fla.); Renee Santos (Oakland, Calif.); nephews Arthur Santos (Olivia, Laredo, Texas); Alfred Santos (Jean, Argyle; Texas); Marc Santos (Cynthia, San Diego); Matthew Santos (Sylvia; San Diego); Darryl Santos (Tia, Dallas, Texas); Duane Santos (Diana, Spring Valley, Calif.); David Santos (Rosalind, Spring, Texas); and several grand-relatives, cousins and friends, nieces and nephews.

Margaret will always be remembered for her laughter and kindness, her strength and most importantly, her faith in God.

A memorial was held on Aug. 27 at Mid Cities Baptist Church.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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