Stephen Jay Santa Cruz

Stephen Jay Santa Cruz, 46, of Vancleave died Wednesday, February 6, 2013 in Vancleave. Mr. Santa Cruz was a native and lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Mr. Santa Cruz was talented with his occupation as a mechanic. He enjoyed cooking, helping people and making people happy. Mr. Santa Cruz is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Albert W. Santa Cruz; and his maternal grandparents, Ed and Bertha Brodnax. Survivors include his wife, Joanne Martin Santa Cruz of Ocean Springs; his daughter, Kayla Santa Cruz of St. Martin; his parents, Albert Earl and Doris Brodnax Santa Cruz of Vancleave; his grandchildren, Conner Smith and Cloie Smith, both of Biloxi; his paternal grandmother, Lora Bell Santa Cruz of Saucier; his step-daughters, Shawndee Thiroux Busby and Sharette Thiroux, both of D’Iberville; his sister, Sherry Santa Cruz (Jay) Pittman of Colorado Springs, CO; his brothers, Mike (Missey) Santa Cruz of Vancleave and Glenn (Jo) Santa Cruz of Mobile, AL; and his nieces and nephews, Taylor, Lauren, Logan, Dylan and Sophie. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the charity of one’s choice. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 12:00 noon. Friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. until mass time. Interment will follow at Santa Cruz Cemetery in Saucier, MS.