1944 Santiago 2026

Santiago Rueda-Hernandez

May 22, 1944 — November 6, 2026

Santiago Rueda Hernandez passed away on November 6, 2026 at his home in Americus, surrounded by his loving family.

A funeral mass is planned for 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 14, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with Father Nick Swann officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 13, from 5:00 until 8:30 PM, with a Rosary Service at 7:00 PM.

Santiago Rueda Hernandez was born on May 22, 1944, in Michoacán, Mexico. He was the son of Florencio Rueda and Sara Hernandez. Santiago was one of eight children. Raised in a close-knit family, his early years helped shape the hardworking, determined, and devoted man he would become. He married Margarita Marin Rueda, and together they built a family and were married for 58 years. They were blessed with five children, fifteen grandchildren, and twenty-eight great-grandchildren (see insert), all of whom became his greatest pride and joy.

To speak of our dear Santiago is like opening a book filled with anecdotes from his life, full of wisdom and love, which are valuable to us all. Before making the United States his home, Santiago built a career as a civil rights attorney in Mexico, dedicating himself to standing up for others and advocating for what was right. With the hope of giving his children a better life and greater opportunities, he made the difficult and courageous decision to leave behind his home, his career, and the life he had built in Mexico to begin again in the United States. His sacrifices laid the foundation for the generations that would follow and created a legacy that will live on through his family.

Sanitago was a man who never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He loved talking politics, sharing stories, writing poems, singing, and dancing. He was a devout Catholic, and his faith remained an important part of his life. He loved spending time with his family, whether playing loteria, sharing a meal, or dancing together. He was never fond of anyone else's cooking besides his wife, but his favorite place to eat was Waffle House, where everyone immediately knew him and his order.

His passing leaves behind a tremendous void in the hearts and lives of those who loved him. We will greatly miss the sound of his voice, his stories, his laughter, his songs, and the conversations that would arise from him so naturally. He was a hardworking man who spent his life making sacrifices for the people he loved. The family he built will forever stand as his greatest accomplishment. Though his absence will leave a hole in our family that can never truly be filled, his love, faith, lessons, and legacy will continue to live on through the many generations he leaves behind. Rest in peace, our dear husband, dad, and grandpa.

Survived By :

Wife Margarita Marin Rueda

Children: Julio Rueda (RIP), David Rueda (Betty Rueda), Sara Rueda (Raul Yanez),

Karina Rueda (Miguel Yanez), Santiago Rueda (Licha Rueda)

Grandchildren: Casar Rueda (child of Julio), David Rueda, Carlos Rueda, Cynthia Bittle

(children of David), Iliana Virgin, Tristian Yanez (children of Sara), Jocellyne Calcutt,

Leslie Garcia, Karina Hernandez, Brandon Yanez, Miguel Yanez (children of Karina),

Mixi Rueda, Santiago Rueda, Itzel Rueda, Alexis Rueda (children of Santiago)

Great-Grandchildren: Mixi Rueda, Elliot Martinez, Christopher Rueda (Children of Mixi),

Isaac Rueda, Elena Rueda, Alexis Rueda, Kaylee Rueda, Catherine Rueda, Yareli

Rueda, Jeremy Rueda, Natalie Rueda, Thiago Rueda, Skylah Rueda (children of

David), Eulises Rueda, Cillian Rueda, Isabella Rueda (children of Carlos), Emmalynne

Calcutt, Isaiah Calcutt, Theodore Calcutt (children of Jocellyne), Scarlet Bittle (child of

Cynthia), Evelyn Carrion, Ellie Carrion (children of Karina), Ariely Yanez, Tristian Yanez

(children of Tristian), Aveline Yanez (child of Miguel).

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Santiago Rueda Hernández nació el 22 de Mayo del 1944 en Michoacán, México. Fue hijo de Florencio Rueda y Sara Hernández. Santiago fue uno de ocho hermanos. Criado en una familia muy unida, sus primeros años contribuyeron a forjar al hombre trabajador, decidido y entregado en el que llegaría a convertirse. Se casó con Margarita Marín Rueda; juntos formaron una familia y permanecieron casados durante 58 años. Fueron bendecidos con cinco hijos, quince nietos y veintiocho bisnietos (véa la hoja informativa para ver su familia), quienes se convirtieron en su mayor orgullo y alegría. Hablar de nuestro querido Santiago es como abrir un libro repleto de anécdotas de su vida, lleno de sabiduría y amor, las cuales son valiosas para todos nosotros. Antes de establecer su hogar en Estados Unidos, Santiago desarrolló una trayectoria como abogado de derechos civiles en México, dedicándose a defender a los demás y a abogar por lo que era justo. Con la esperanza de brindarles a sus 5 hijos una vida mejor y mayores oportunidades, Santiago y Margarita tomaron la difícil y valiente decisión de dejar atrás su hogar, su carrera y la vida que habían construido en México para empezar de nuevo en Estados Unidos. Sus sacrificios sentaron las bases para las próximas generaciones y crearon un legado que perdurará a través de su familia. Sr. Santiago era un hombre que no consideraba a nadie un extraño y podía platicar con cualquier persona. Le encantaba hablar de política, compartir historias, escribir poemas, cantar y bailar. Era un católico devoto y su fe siguió siendo una parte importante de su vida. Le encantaba pasar tiempo con su familia, ya fuera jugando lotería, compartiendo una comida o bailando juntos. Nunca le gustó la comida preparada por nadie que no fuera su esposa, pero su lugar favorito para comer era Waffle House, donde todos lo conocían de inmediato y ya sabían su orden. Su fallecimiento deja un vacío inmenso en los corazones y en las vidas de quienes lo querían. Extrañaremos mucho el sonido de su voz, sus historias, su risa, sus canciones y las conversaciones que le surgían con tanta naturalidad. Era un hombre trabajador que pasó su vida haciendo sacrificios por las personas a las que amaba. La familia que construyó permanecerá para siempre como su mayor logro. La familia que construyó permanecerá para siempre como su mayor logro. Aunque su ausencia dejará en nuestra familia un vacío que nunca podrá llenarse del todo, su amor, su fe, sus enseñanzas y su legado perdurarán a través de las muchas generaciones que deja atrás. Que descanse en paz y brille la luz perpetua nuestro querido esposo, padre, welito, bisabuelo, y amigo, Santiago Rueda Hernandez.