Dimple Doyne Santos

Dimple Doyne Santos

September 19, 1927 – December 2, 2017

Dimple Doyne Santos was born September 19, 1927 in Sterling, Kanas to Benjamin and Leona Rawlins, who raised eight sons and five daughters. A spirited force of nature, Dimple attended Sterling High School where she was nicknamed “Get the News, Spread the News Dimple” as a journalist for the school paper. Her childhood passion for singing and dancing later won her the crown as Jitterbug Queen of Rice County, Kansas.

Opting to seek fame and fortune beyond Kansas, Dimple took the train to California in 1946 and moved in with her brother Bill and his family in Long Beach. A year later, she literally met the love of her life, Bill’s army buddy James Waldo “Bob” Santos of Calexico, CA. The pair married in Long Beach on July 4, 1948—a union that lasted 62 years.

After settling in San Diego with her new husband, Dimple worked briefly at a dental office. But it was her role as wife and mother that she fully embraced. While raising her seven children—daughter Ardise Renee and sons Anthony, Marc, Matthew, Duane, Darryl and David—Dimple became a major fixture at Lincoln High School as a take-charge member of the parent booster club. Her vivaciousness and humor also turned the Santos home at 730 Cotton Street into a central hub for extended family members and an ever-growing contingent of friends. You never knew who you might run into on any given day.

In addition to her natural nurturing talent as “everyone’s mom” (she also gave great hugs), Dimple loved to sew and quilt. And each holiday, everyone couldn’t wait for her mouthwatering pound cake and red- and green-hued jello cookies. Her passion for dancing and singing never wavered. Family members still fondly recall her famous wakeup calls during which she would liltingly warble the Stevie Wonder tune “I Just Called to Say I Love You.”

Dimple is survived by six children: Renee (Lewis) of Oakland, CA; daughter-in-law Mary of San Diego (widow of son Anthony); son Marc (Cynthia) of San Diego; son Matthew (Sylvia) of San Diego; son Duane (Diana) of San Diego; son Darryl (Myra) of Dallas; son David (Rosalind) of Spring, TX; 24 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister Ardise Rawlins; brother Winston Rawlins; brother Paul Rawlins; numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins; the Santos family and a host of friends. Dimple was preceded in death by her husband Bob; son Anthony; great-grandson Lamar Mack-Santos; parents Ben and Leona Rawlins; brothers John Rawlins, Gaylord Rawlins, Edward Rawlins, Harold Rawlins, William Rawlins, Lionel Rawlins; and sisters Cosa Mae Vaughn, Anna Morgan, and Konstance Mitchell.

The family wishes to acknowledge our appreciation for all the kindnesses shown to us during this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Goodbody Mortuary.