Cleo Rhodes Combs

Cleo Rhodes Combs, 91, died Monday, November 5, 2007, at Heritage Manor South in Shreveport. She was born at Vowell's Mill, Natchitoches Parish, March 3, 1916, to Christopher Newton Rhodes, Sr., and Mattie Jones Rhodes. She graduated from Provencal High School in 1932. She married Simon Bewell Combs, Sr., in 1935 who served as pastor for a number of Baptist churches in North Louisiana. He preceded her in death in 1982. She married Alvin Dowden in 1983. He preceded her in death in 1999. Her seven brothers and only sister also preceded her in death. Visitation will be Thursday, November 8, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis in Natchitoches. Funeral services will be Friday, November 9, at 11:00 am at Bellwood Baptist Church and will be conducted by Rev. Ray Self. Interment will follow at Bellwood Cemetery in Natchitoches Parish. Survivors include two sons: Simon Bewell Combs, Jr. M.D., of Shreveport and Frederick David Combs, Sr., and wife Susan of Harvey; five grandchildren: Susan Combs Hefner and husband John of Sulphur Springs, Texas; Dana Combs Dixon and husband David of Crown Point, Indiana; Diane Combs Hawes and husband Charles of Shreveport; Candace Combs of San Francisco; and Frederick David Combs, Jr., of Natchitoches; nine great-grandchildren: Joshua Hefner, Allison Hefner, Christopher Hefner, Hannah Dixon, Samantha Dixon, Erica Dixon, Olivia Dixon, Charles Hawes IV, and Garrett Hawes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Bellwood Cemetery Association: Bellwood Cemetery Association, Care of Katherine Hughes, 6470 Sand Hill Ave., Shreveport, LA 71107