The Rev. Marydell Combs went to be with the Lord on March 3, 2013, at home surrounded by family and friends after several years battling with neuropathy, end-stage renal disease, and several other auto-immune disorders. She was born on Jan. 8, 1948, in Walnut Ridge, Ark., to William Odell and Betty Jean Austin, the oldest of three.
Marydell is survived by her husband, Rev. Philip D. Combs, of Springfield, Mo.; daughter, LaBetha McGinnis, of Springfield, Mo.; daughter, Naara Kean, and husband, Roger, of Ozark, Mo.; and daughter, Erin Martin, and husband, Bryan, of Clinton, Mo. She is also survived by her mother, Betty Jean Austin, of Bendavis, Mo.; brother, John, and wife, Virginia Austin, of Huggins, Mo.; sister, Caroline Austin, of Bendavis, Mo.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father and paternal and maternal grandparents.
Philip and Marydell were married on Feb. 19, 1966, in Houston, Mo., and immediately began their ministry as evangelists, pastors and missionaries. They pastored in Missouri before becoming missionaries in 1974. During their missionary career, they served in Taiwan, Guam, China, and publishing Scriptures with Life Publishers in Springfield, Mo. Marydell was Philip’s courageous, strong and faithful partner, colleague and supporter. She never met a challenge she was afraid to tackle; never faced change from which she shrank. She was truly an amazing and beautiful person.
At the age of 50, Marydell became a certified professional clown in order to minister more effectively to children and their parents and served as an International Goodwill Ambassador for Clowns of America, International. She was active in churches and other settings in clown ministry, both in the United States and abroad until neuropathy disabled her.
Marydell will be remembered for her passionate love for the Lord, utter commitment to His work, her love of adventure, great sense of humor and love that over-flowed to all around her.
Visitation was 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Greenlawn South Funeral Home, 441 W. Battlefield, Springfield. Celebration of Life will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 7, at Oak Grove Assembly of God, 1320 S. Oak Grove and Bennett, Springfield. Interment will follow at 3:30 pm. at Pine Lawn Cemetery, Houston, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fire Bibles, Life Publishers, 1625 N. Robberson, Springfield, Mo.
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