Donald Twidell Combs Sr., 77, of Evansville, Indiana, formerly of Madisonville, passed away peacefully Sunday August 2, 2026 at home under the care of Heart to Heart Hospice of Evansville with his family at his bedside.
A native of Madisonville, Kentucky, he was born to the late William Santa Combs Sr. and Florence Louise Malone Combs on November 10, 1948.
He was a faithful and longtime member of Zion Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Madisonville where he served in many capacities including as a Music Organizer and Organist, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, Custodian, Maintenance Personnel, Culinary Department member and Zion Temple Food Bank.
Donald had worked 15 years for General Radiator in Mount Vernon, Illinois in shipping and receiving. He graduated from Southern Illinois University as an Art Major where he taught Art for over 2 years. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam War Veteran, member of the NAACP and a Community Organizer. He loved playing music (piano and organ), artwork, sculpting, and painting.
One noteworthy achievement of Donald is he was instrumental in getting the petition started for the waterpark installation at Dr. Festus Claybon Memorial City Park in Madisonville.
Donald will be dearly missed by his family, church family, and all those who knew him as a friend.
In addition to Donald’s parents, he also was preceded in death by his companion, Irene Virginia Day; a son, Donald T. Combs II; three brothers, William Santa Combs Jr., Garland Festus Combs, and Claybon Foster Combs; and four sisters, Olivia Martin, Joslyn Sue Combs, Barbara Louise Trussell, and Ladonia Maxine Cowan.
He leaves behind to cherish his many memories, four daughters, Angela Drake of Greenville, Kentucky, Lameika Combs of Indianapolis, Indiana, Felicia Combs of Madisonville, and Eboney Combs of Chicago, Illinois; a brother, James Combs of Wilmington, Delaware; a sister, Lillian Irene Combs of Long Beach, California; a special sister, Rev. Deborah K. Slaton of Madisonville; one uncle, Billy (Juanita) Malone of Pensacola, Florida; 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
On this Saturday August 8, Donald’s life will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. at Zion Temple A.M.E. Zion Church.
The Reverend Deborah Slaton be eulogist and assisted by Reverend Donnie Thomas as officiant.
Visitation and wake service will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.
For viewing, the service will be live-streamed on Elliott-Bowles Mortuary facebook page beginning at 1:00 p.m. central time.
Elliott-Bowles Mortuary in Madisonville is overseeing Donald’s funeral arrangements and professional services.
Condolences to the family can be shared with them by going to www.elliottmortuarycares.com.
Comments