Yong Suk (An) Santiago

Mrs. Yong Suk Santiago, 68, of Fayetteville, passed away a little after midnight on Thursday, March 31, 2022, and took her walk to heaven after losing her 3 ½ year battle to stage 4 gastric cancer. Mrs. Santiago is the definition of a true warrior, and we are all so very proud of her. 

Mrs. Santiago met her husband, Leo Santiago, Sr. in Seoul Korea at Camp Red Cloud in 1973 where she worked as a KP worker at the Mess Hall. At first, she did not like her future husband or MPs, but Mr. Santiago won her heart, and she came around. Mr. Santiago finally asked her out on a date. It was magic. Around 8 to 10 months later, Mr. Santiago asked Mrs. Santiago to become his wife. During their 48 years of marriage, they were blessed with 2 children. In 1975, they had their first child, a daughter, Cheries Y. Santiago and in 1980, they had their second child, a son, Leo Santiago Jr. Mrs. Santiago started working when she was 11 years old. Throughout her life, she had a variety of careers ranging from factory worker, KP, cook, sanitization specialist, cashier, supervisor, and retail specialist. Every single job she has ever laid hands on, she made a lasting impact.  She was incredibly detailed oriented while carrying the highest level of perseverance and dedication in everything she did. She was not just a hard worker in her career, but she was a devoted, patient, and loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt to her family. Mrs. Santiago touched the lives of everyone around her. Her heart had no limitations. She would give advice to friends, family, and even strangers. Mrs. Santiago loved her poodles very much.  She even rescued a puppy that was neglected and raised that puppy as her own. Everything that Mrs. Santiago did in life was filled with love, thoughtfulness, and kindness. She had a childlike playful spirit and loved to joke around and laugh.

Mrs. Santiago is preceded in death by her parents, Pong Hak An and Chun Hui Song; and younger sister, Young-ok An. She survived by her husband, Leo Santiago Sr.; her daughter, Cheries Y. Santiago; and her son Leo Santiago Jr. Also surviving are her younger sister, Yeongae An along with her husband, Jeong yu Hong, their son Chul Soo Hong (eldest), their daughter Eunmi Hong with her two sons Song Hyun Kang (eldest) and Yu Hyun Kang. Also surviving are her 2 younger brothers, Yeong Seok An and Jumsok An along with his two children, Sang Yong An (eldest son) and Yu Jeong An (daughter). Also surviving is another younger sister Yeong Mi An.

Mrs. Santiago feared, loved, believed, and trusted in God. Mrs. Santiago stated that she has lived a good life with no regrets.  Before she ascended to heaven, she had a smile on her face. May her soul rest in peace.

A funeral service by invitation only for Mrs. Santiago will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Rogers & Breece Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be sent to:

(1) Gastric Cancer Foundation at https://gastriccancer.org/ to help contribute to the research of those who are fighting gastric cancer.

(2) Poodle Club of America Foundation at https://poodleclubofamericafoundation.org/research to help save poodles lives.

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