Obituaries

Deborah Ann Combs

Photo of Deborah Ann Combs
Deborah Ann Combs, 61, of Springdale, died Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Bentonville Health and Rehab in Bentonville, Ark. Deborah was the second child and second daughter of Hoyt Combs, Jr. and Jessie Mae née Cunningham Combs, born on August 12, 1954. Deborah was born with Down Syndrome, and in her last years also suffered from dementia, which contributed to her death. Deborah was among the first four students at the Elizabeth Richardson Center in Fayetteville, and was in the first graduating class in 1975. Deborah was very helpful to her parents, loving to vacuum, wash clothes, fold laundry, help with meals, and to wash the dishes, or load the dishwasher. She was also very loving, often hugging or speaking with people she had just met. The family was always amazed at Deborah's ability to remember birthdays, and an early phone call from her on your birthday was a sure thing, until recent years. Deborah was preceded in death by her parents and her paternal grandparents, Hoyt Combs, Sr. and Cliffee Clara née Emmett Combs, as well as her maternal grandparents, William Calvin Cunningham and Cora M. née Ree Cunningham, and Cora's later husbands, Marvin Pennell and Orville Keck. Cora changed her surname back to Pennell before her death. Deborah's aunt, Helen Marie née Combs Harris (Herndon) and her three uncles, William Calvin, Jr. Cunningham, Alvin Bill Cunningham, and Gene Autry Cunningham also preceeded her. Finally, her older sister, Linda Marie née Combs Wehmeyer, preceeded her as well. Linda was Deborah's care giver after the death of their mom in 2004. Deborah is survived by her brother Ronnie Hoyt Combs and his wife, Nanetta Jean née Netherton Combs, her nephew, Jerid Hoyt Combs (Brittany) along with great nieces Mackenzie and Brielynn and by her niece, Ashley née Combs Lawson (Mitch); as well as her great-niece Keirstyn. Also surviving Deborah is her brother-in-law, David Henry Wehmeyer of Springdale, his son Joshua David Wehmeyer, and his wife Rachel née Williams Wehmeyer, and a new great-niece, Reagan Elizabeth, all from Virginia Beach, Va.; also David's brothers and sisters and their spouses and families: Arthur Wehmeyer (Linda), Sherry Dahlberg (Svenn), Dennis Wehmeyer (Kathy), and Linda Struttmann (Tim); and by Deborah's three aunts: Lola, LueVerne, and Bonnie Cunningham, and their families. Finally, Deborah is survived by many friends from the several Bible studies, Assemblies, Feast sites, etc., she was a part of over the years, and by other friends and neighbors who impacted her life and allowed Deborah to impact their lives. Deborah had a child-like trust in her savior and messiah, Yahshua, and was re-baptized 09/21/2009, at the same time David and Linda were re-baptized into Yahshua. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the Springdale Senior Center, 203 Park Street, Springdale, Ark. 72764, or the charity of your choice. To sign the guestbook online, please visit www.siscofuneral.com. The family wishes to commend the staff of Bentonville Health and Rehab for their kindnesses and care they gave Deborah over the last three years.

Published May 17, 2016

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