Camille Santana, Eddie Santana-Negron Sr., Ileana Santana, and Mila Rose Santana: July 4, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic passing of four members of the Santana family on July 4, 2025, during the devastating floods in Kerr County, Texas.

Camille Santana, 38, was a military wife and mother who lived in Wichita Falls with her family while her husband Eddie Jr. served at Sheppard Air Force Base. Originally from Puerto Rico, she was known for her welcoming spirit. “You were the first person to welcome me to the Vazquez family, the very first one I met at the house,” her brother-in-law Joelle Jose remembered. “You made me feel loved from day one and I have never met someone like you.”

Eddie Santana-Negron Sr., 69, and Ileana Santana, 66, had traveled from their home in Mobile, Alabama, to spend the Fourth of July holiday with their son’s family. The couple were well-known in their West Mobile community, where neighbors described them as “a sweet couple, super great family.” Their home was a gathering place for family celebrations, with grandchildren frequently playing in their backyard. Family friend Alan Smith-Toro, who had known them for over 30 years, remembered Ileana as being “kind of like a second mom to me.” Both were active members of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Mobile.

Mila Rose Santana, 5, was a student at CDK Dance studio who loved performing. Portrait photographer Myra Fabling, who had captured recent pictures of Mila, remembered her as “precious” and “a little shy, but had this little light in her eyes, this little sparkle.” Her dance teacher Sarah Hernandez said, “She was just so excited for recital and that’s how we remember her, leaving class with a big smile ready to come and perform.” Following her death, her dance studio honored Mila by dedicating two performances to her memory at their recent recital.

The family was staying at the HTR TX Hill Country Campground near the Guadalupe River when catastrophic flooding struck in the early morning hours of July 4th. In just 45 minutes, the river rose 26 feet, giving the family no time to evacuate. Their cabin was swept off its foundation and carried away by the violent surge of water.

Eddie Santana Jr., Camille’s husband and the father of Mila Rose, son of Eddie Sr. and Ileana, was the sole survivor of this tragedy. After a harrowing rescue where he clung to a tree for three hours, he was hospitalized and has since been surrounded by the love and support of his extended family and military community.

The family has expressed their intention to lay the four members to rest together. “Our family can now finally lay everyone to rest together,” said Jaimee Santana, Eddie Jr.’s sister-in-law. “We extend our deepest thanks to everyone near and far for the overwhelming support and prayers. These radiant smiles will forever be etched in our memories.”

Support has poured in from the family’s Puerto Rican heritage community, their church at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Mobile, the military community at Sheppard Air Force Base, and friends spanning from Mobile, Alabama, to Wichita Falls, Texas.

Camille’s sister Kali wrote on social media: “To my sister, I will love you until the end of time. I will see you again and I will never forget you.”

A fundraiser has been established to help with funeral expenses and to support Eddie Jr. as he rebuilds his life.