Barbara M. Santos

Barbara McLeod Santos passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022. Services will be Friday, October 21, at 1:00 p.m., at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, with Dr. Randall Perry officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 20, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey.

Barbara was born in Crossett, Arkansas, to Larche Bryant McLeod Sr. and Vera Brooks McLeod. She grew up in Crossett, graduated from Crossett High in 1956, and was an accomplished vocalist and pianist. She went on to study nursing at Baylor University and completed her nursing degree at St Paul’s Nursing School in Dallas. While at Baylor and helping with Friday night missions Barbara met Ruben Santos whom she would assist in his mission work by playing the piano. Ruben and Barbara were married for 48 years and during that time, they had a deep love for each other and their three children, a devotion for everything Baylor University, and a great sense of pride for the Waco community. Barbara worked as a Registered Nurse at Hillcrest Baptist Hospital and taught nursing at Hillcrest School of Nursing. She created the Department of Education and Training for Providence Hospital, did research for the National Academy of Sciences, and eventually retired from the VA Medical Center after 20 years of psychiatric nursing. Early in her nursing career many of the latest advancements in medical care techniques and knowledge she gained in Dallas were recognized by local hospital administrators and afforded her the opportunity to establish those practices in Waco. Barbara also supported the community by serving on the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum Advisory Board, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, and the McLennan County Historical Commission. She was a lifelong member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ruben; her son-in-law, B.L. Barnes.

She is survived by her son, Ruben Christopher McLeod Santos and wife, Beth; daughters, Gigi Santos Barnes and Leslie Santos Fulton; grandsons, Cooper Santos and wife Julie, and Connor Santos; great-granddaughter, Callie Rae; brother, Larche Bryant McLeod, Jr., and wife Sandy; sisters in law, Minerva Gonzales, Becky Sosa and husband, Joe, Clarisa Fether and husband, Gene, and Liz Garcia; brother-in-law, John Santos and wife, Valerie; niece, Amanda McLeod; and special daughters-in-love, Kellye Santos and Elida Dakoli.

The family would like to thank the staff at Lake Ridge Healthy Living for their kind and loving care of our mother, and Grace Leung for her daily visits and comforting massage therapy.

Memorials may be made to the Ruben Mojica and Barbara McLeod Santos Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor University, One Bear Place #97050, Waco, TX 76798-7050, Meals on Wheels Waco, or the charity of your choice.