Leah Mae Johnston McCombs, 86, daughter of Morris and Carrie B. Figge Johnston, was born April 11, 1917, at Horine, the day after an earthquake shook the area. She died Jan. 7, 2004, at Houston House. Mrs. McCombs grew up in St. Louis with visits to her grandmother in Texas County. She married Jennings McCombs Aug. 18, 1940. Until her eyesight became bad, she pieced quilts and crocheted afghans, doilies and crafts. She made a quilt for every new baby in her family and always had flowers in her yard. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents; stepfather, Jacob Meyer; and two daughters, Nancy McCombs and Patricia Williams. Surviving are her daughter, Lucy Kruse of Houston; one sister, Virginia Andres of Mattoon, Ill.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Services were Jan. 10 at the Evans Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. L.J. Lowe officiating. Burial was in the Boone Creek Cemetery. “
