Combest

Toni “Nona” Hawkins Combest was called home to be with the Lord, Sunday morning, Feb. 21 at the age of 73. Mrs. Combest was born Jan. 20, 1943 in Red River County to William Earl Hawkins and Lucille York Hawkins Childers. She graduated high school in Longview and attended both North East Texas Community College and East Texas State University before embarking on a career as a teacher, spending 13 years at the Pittsburg Independent School District, and also working as a real estate agent in Longview and Pittsburg for several years. Toni married the love of her life, Hershel Preston Combest on March 5, 1960. During their 48 years of marriage they would laugh, love and raise four children: Clint, Melanie, Stacey, and Amber. Toni was a devoted wife and a wonderful mother. She was a devout Christian and long-time member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, where she was also a member of the Young at Heart seniors group. Mrs. Combest was also a member of the Retired Teachers Association. She is survived by her son: Clint Combest and wife Julie, of Hughes Springs; three daughters: Melanie Combest and Becky Baxley, of Hallsville; Stacey Stansbury and husband Tim, of Las Colinas; and Amber Ramsey and husband Rusty, of Pittsburg. She also leaves behind her 14 grandchildren: Catie Baxley, Chase Baxley, Connor Baxley, Calli Baxley, Chellyn Wilson, Cheston Wilson and wife Kristyn, Lauren Combest and fiance Jube Guajardo, Cayli Boles and husband Cody, Shaina Stansbury and fiance Ryan Jackson, Ashley Hendricks, Ashley Carraway and husband Ray, Kerry Hendricks, Brooke Ramsey, and Kyle Ramsey; as well as nine great-grandchildren: Kyleigh, Hunter, Cade, Cash, Preston, Cassidy, Elijah, Charleigh, and Alexa; two sisters: Jan McCuller, of Mount Pleasant, and Cheryl Rogers and husband Wayne, of Detroit, Texas; a brother-in-law: David Combest and wife Judy, of Longview; and two sistersin-law: Geraldine Combest, of Longview and Wanda Combest, of Winnsboro, La. She was preceded in death by her parents: She was preceded in death by her parents: William Earl Hawkins and Lucille York Hawkins Childers; her beloved husband: Judge H. Preston Combest; and two brothers: Earl York “Spanky” Hawkins and Val Douglas Hawkins. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the funeral home. Funeral Services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Bros. Kyle Smith and Larry Rice o ciating. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. at Bogata Cemetery. Memorials in Toni’s name can be made to Emmanual Baptist Church, 831 W. Loop 179, Pittsburg, Texas, 75686, Broach Park, 126 Church St., Pittsburg, Texas 75686, or Hope for Hurting Hearts, PO Box 1245, Pittsburg, Texas 75686.