Janice L. Santos

Janice L. Santos, age 60, of Gulfport, MS, passed away on Friday June 9th, 2023.  Mrs. Santos was born on March 31st, 1963 in Birmingham Alabama and was a longtime resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Following her years at Gulfport High School, she dedicated her life to family and friends.  From the beginning, Janice knew the value of work and perseverance.  During her high school years, she held her first job at a local fast-food restaurant; and even before she finished school, she began working as an apartment manager.  Over her professional career, she managed properties in Virginia and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Her tenacity, dedication, and loyalty to her work was undeniable and could not be compared.  Her career in property management then spread for over 30 years.  

On a personal level, Janice loved life and her joy and laughter was infectious to anyone who met her.  She gained satisfaction by decorating her home for every holiday – her favorite stores were Hallmark and Hobby Lobby.  Like her daddy, her favorite time of the year was Christmas, during which time she literally took one whole week to decorate her home.  It then took an entire two full days to put away all the Christmas decorations.  Her door was always open to family, friends, and even strangers – she welcomed anyone and everyone into her home – all felt the love.

Janice loved to dance – she met her husband Michael at a dance club in Biloxi, MS and the first time they danced they knew there was an instant connection.  The next day they met to join friends on a motorcycle ride but changed their minds at the last minute; instead, they spent the day together by themselves.  Within three months they moved in together and six months later, they were married.

Janice spent the next sixteen years traveling with her husband as a military spouse.  Their love story of forty years serves as an example to family and friends. Janice expressed part of her joy through the love of music – she liked Motown, Country, R&B, and music of many types.  She enjoyed cooking for her family, mastering international dishes that were the envy of many husbands.  Her bigger joy was her family - she loved hosting the family gatherings, especially Christmas and New Year’s.  There was always plenty of food and good laughs - at the end of each gathering, there was always dancing.  Finally, her greatest joys were her husband, her son, and most importantly, her granddaughter Michelle.  She enjoyed making breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Michelle most of all.  Janice was known to everyone as Aunt Jan – her love for God, family, friends, and her dedication to them was exemplary.  She was the secret-keeper, the confidant, the best friend, and “She was the glue that held us all together“.

Mrs. Santos is preceded in death by her parents, Jerry Britt and Christine Mitchell Britt.

She is survived by her loving husband Michael Santos, her son Brit Santos (Ashlie), and her granddaughter Michelle Santos.  Survivors also include her siblings Daphine Cazeaux (Mike), Colon Kelly Godwin (Debra), Denise Pollard (Alan), Jerrilyn Neumaier (Paul), and John Britt (Shelly), as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.

Services will be held at the Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15452 O’Neal Road, Gulfport, MS 39503.  Friends are welcome for visitation from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023.  A service in celebration of her life will begin at 11:30 a.m.  A procession to the VA National Cemetery in Biloxi, MS will follow at 12:30 p.m.  Interment will take place at the Biloxi VA National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport is honored to serve the family of Janice Santos.