Eloise E. Combs

Eloise E. {Ewen} Combs, who spent her life as an embodiment of unconditional love, non-judgment and serving others sadly died on July 14, 2016 after an unexpected illness. Her "okey-dokey" spit fire attitude, grace and generous legacy will live on in our hearts and mind. Born March 19, 1925, in Hazard, KY. As a young woman, she and her sisters were known as "lookers" but she was the one often recruited to model the new frocks in the downtown dress shop window to help increase sales. Bright and ambitious, she worked for Western-Union and Tribey Coal Mines. Courted by John F. Combs, Jr. they married May 13, 1950 and then bravely left the KY bluegrass for the OH rustbelt in search of career opportunities to start a family. She lived the remainder of her life in Eastmont and was known as a 'Second Mom" to so many. After retirement from the City of Dayton Taxation Department she focused on raising her Granddaughter Jennifer and Grandson John. Later in life she loved to travel visiting family far and near. Her favorite place was a yearly visit with her family to Treasure Shores, FLA to beach comb and sit a spell on her favorite bench to enjoy the views of the Gulf shore. Her best kept beauty secret belied her true age and became her trademark slogan "Oil of Old Age" {Oil of Olay} prompting everyone she met to dash to the local drug store to pick up a bottle lickety-split. Her unshakeable faith, ornery humor and self-determination were greatly admired and counted on to get her through health challenges and emotional heartbreak. She cherished long drives with Teresa Kay on the back roads, traditional quilting, the arrival of her monthly Kentucky Explorer magazine, her flowerbeds, Bible devotionals, crooners Perry Como and Frank Sinatra, seasonal shopping for Alfred Dunner outfits and making the little moments matter with family and friends. Eloise was preceded in death by her parents George Ewen and Rosalee {Birch} Ewen. Her beloved husband, John F. Combs, Jr. Her siblings: Forest Ewen, Omer Ewen, Willard Ewen, Bearl Ewen, Loretta {Dean} Ewen, Retha {Callahan} Ewen, Zella {Neal} Ewen and Faye {Hamilton} Ewen. Eloise is survived by her daughter and spouse, Terry Combs and Glenda Miles and family, son Michael Combs, Jr and family, Granddaughter Jennifer Combs and family, Grandson John Combs, Jr and family, baby brother Lamar Ewen and numerous nieces, nephews. She will be deeply missed by her "Mom Squad" {family, friends and caregivers} who helped full fill her wish to age at home so she could continue to enjoy sitting on her back porch, bird and butterfly watching and eating her butterscotch pie; Loretta, Sue, Becky, Dorothy, Freida, Cassandra, Mary Kay, Jodi, Tim, Yvette, Jolita, Heather, Julie, Terri, Loraine, Chelley, Theresa, Phyllis, Jo, Bruce, Karen, Phil, and Peggy. Member of Eastmont United Methodist Church since 1958. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 4:00-6:00 pm on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering with a service to follow at 6:00pm at the funeral home. The family invites friends to stay after the service for a light luncheon as we share memories of Eloise. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton 324 Wilmington Avenue Dayton, Ohio 45420.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429