It is with the heaviest of hearts, an ocean full of tears, and grief that feels almost unbearable that the Cantu Family shares the passing of their dearest matriarch, Santos Elizondo Cantu, who at the graceful age of 90, was called home to be with Jehovah in Paradise on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. While our pain is raw and the silence Santos leaves behind is deafening, we cling to the precious promises of Jehovah, the God she loved so faithfully, knowing that this separation is only temporary and that one day, by His mercy, we will embrace Santos once again in the resurrection.
Santos was born on a warm Friday, April 19, 1935, in Robstown, Texas, to Gabriel Elizondo and Macaria Zuniga Elizondo. From the moment she came into this world, Santos brought light into the lives of her parents, and throughout her lifetime, Santos never ceased to bring that light into every life she touched. Santos’s roots were deep in Robstown, where she remained all her life, loyal to the soil she loved. She graduated proudly from Robstown High School in 1953, and though many longed for city life, Santos was content with the beauty of simplicity. She found joy in the family farm, the land she called home, and the memories that lived in every tree, every breeze, and every sunrise over the fields. Santos often said she never wanted to leave for the city, the “ranchito” was where her heart belonged, and even in her later years, she longed to return to those familiar grounds, asking her loved ones to drive her back so she could once more see the place of her youth. As a young woman, Santos worked as a migrant laborer alongside her parents, not out of being compliant, but out of devotion. Santos gave her strength to help them, always proud to be a daughter who served, and that spirit of service never left her. As she grew into adulthood, Santos married her beloved Cornelio Cantu, Jr., and raised her family; she poured that same devotion into her children. Santos was more than a mother, she was their protector, their guide, and their teacher. She taught them not only how to live but how to live with integrity, with humility, and with kindness. Santos’s hands told her story; where her hands that worked the fields, hands that kneaded dough for tortillas to feed her family, hands that pulled weeds from her beloved garden, hands that folded in prayer to Jehovah, and hands that wiped away the tears of her children and grandchildren. Santos’ hands never got tired of giving, never withheld love, and never failed to comfort. Santos’ voice was gentle yet strong, a voice that could calm a crying child, tell stories late into the night, or lead a family conversation that ended in both laughter and tears. In her voice, you could hear the wisdom of her years, the firmness of her faith, and the warmth of her love. Santos’ smile was her signature; as her smile could brighten the darkest of days, a smile that was not put on for the world but came from a heart that was genuinely full of love. To see Santos smile was to feel that everything was going to be alright, and her family will forever remember that smile, as it is imprinted on their hearts. Santos’ faith was unshakable; as she was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, she lived her life in obedience and trust, attending the Robstown Kingdom Hall faithfully, leaning on Jehovah’s promises as her strength. She believed with all her heart in the paradise to come, where sickness, pain, and death would be no more. It was this faith that carried Santos through life’s hardships and gave her peace as she approached the end of her earthly journey. She loved having conversations with people whether it was with a lifelong friend or a grandchild just beginning to understand the world. Santos’ joy was always always about togetherness; as she often listened deeply, laughed easily, and cried tenderly with those who needed her. She also loved gardening, telling stories of the past, and recalling her childhood with detail so rich that her family could almost see the scenes unfold. Santos gave of herself not just to her family but also to her community. She was a former CCD teacher at St. Mary’s Mission, where she also gave her time at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church during their annual Fiesta Mexicana festival; she also volunteered helping out with the Robstown Band Boosters, and even cared for children at the Baptist Church Day Care. Wherever there was a need, Santos was there; ready to serve quietly, faithfully, without ever asking for any type of recognition. Above all, Santos loved her family where she lived for them; she carried the weight of their struggles, rejoiced in their successes, and prayed for them daily. She was the heart of the family, the one whose wisdom guided them, whose love healed them, and whose presence made everything whole again. She was a loving and caring daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, and a dear friend who will be dearly missed by all of her loved ones and dear friends she had such a great impact on
She goes home to Jehovah to once again be reunited with her father, Gabriel Elizondo; her mother, Macaria Zuniga Elizondo; her husband, Cornelio Cantu, Jr.; her siblings, Bonifacio Elizondo, Elia Elizondo, Eulalio Elizondo, Bruno Elizondo, Gabriel Elizondo, Jr., Maria Elia “Nena” Olivarez, Esther Franco; and her great-great-grandson, Ezekiel Justin Cantu. Though they are gone from this world, we find peace in knowing they are safe in Jehovah’s memory, awaiting the day of resurrection when the family will be made whole again.
Santos leaves behind to cherish her everlasting memory that will continue to live on in the hearts of her children, Sylvia (Sam) Serrata, Ernest (Sandi) Cantu, Edward (Dorothy) Cantu, and Eric (Belinda) Cantu; her beloved siblings: Carmen Cantu, Alicia (Victor) Pinon, Leoner (Willie) Ybarra, Yolanda (Johnny) Ramirez, Gonzalo (Irma) Elizondo, and Gregorio (Noemi) Elizondo. Santos was also blessed and adored with sixteen grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will forever cherish the privilege of having known her.
The family extends a heartfelt invitation to all who loved Santos Elizondo Cantu to gather together in her honor and celebrate her beautiful life; as a visitation will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, with a Memorial Talk to begin at 11:00 AM at Ramon Funeral Home, 800 Lincoln Ave, Robstown, Texas.
Even as our hearts break, we take solace in Jehovah’s promise in Revelation 21:4: “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” These words bring us comfort, for though Santos is gone from our arms, she is not gone from Jehovah’s memory, and one day, in the paradise she longed for, she will awaken, her smile brighter than ever, her hands reaching out once again to embrace those she dearly loved.
Until that day comes, we hold Santos’ memory close in our hearts, in every story we share about her, and in every tear we shed. Our beloved Santos, our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend will never be forgotten.
The Cantu Family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt Thank You to the River Ridge Nursing Home Staff for their unconditional care, tenderness, and compassion shown to our loving mother during her final days. Your kindness will forever be remembered and treasured by our family. We also wish to extend our deepest gratitude to her dearest and most faithful friend, Ms. Maria Elena Rodriguez, whose unwavering love, companionship, and presence by Santos’s side brought her joy and comfort beyond words.
