Spouse: William David Griffin
Father: John Combs
Mother: Dulcenia BRINEGAR Combs

Cordelia Melissa Combs, daughter of John and Dalcenia Combs was born at Salem, Nebraska May 22, 1866, and passed away at the St. Francis hospital, Maryville, Missouri, May 14, 1944 at the age of 77 years, 11 months, 22 days. When a small child she moved her parents to a farm southwest of Craig where she grew to womanhood. She attended the Pawpaw Chapel rural school.

February 18, 1885, she was united in marriage to W.D. Griffin of Bigelow, Missouri. To this union 11 children were born. An infant son and daughter preceded her in death.

She leaves to mourn her passing her aged companion, W.D. Griffin, four sons, William of Olathe, Kans., Paul of Victorville, Calif., John and Ralph of Detroit, Mich., five daughter, Mrs. Barbara Davis of Phoenix, Ariz., Mrs. Mary Davis, Mrs. Ruth Showalter, Mrs. Cleta Myers, of Craig, MO., Mrs. Ethel Sutt of Moorpark, Calif; also 20 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; two half sisters, Mrs. Dulcenia Beauchamp, Mrs. Cora Perkins, Craig; five half-brothers, John and Omar, Lynwood Calif., George of Beatrice, Nebr., Silas, Fortescue and Blair of Craig; besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Their entire married life of 59 years was spent on a farm in Holt and Atchison counties, with exception of six years spent in Nebraska City, Nebr. The deceased has been in failing health the past few years and was bedfast six weeks before her passing.

Mrs. Griffin was converted under Rev. Bones preaching at Tarkio Chapel near Fortescue about 1889. She lived a consistent Christian life, admonishing her children to love God and one another, and it was the burden of her heart that they live to meet her in Heaven. During her illness she often spoke of the Heavenly Home to which she was going; spoke of the beauties there and said she was ready to meet her Savior. During her patient suffering she appreciated the many kind deeds and expressed thoughts of her loved ones and friends. She was a faithful wife, kind and loving mother and always ready to help in every way for her friends and neighbors.

Funeral services were held at the Craig Methodist Church Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Bro. O.W. Adams, a lifelong friend of the family, assisted by Rev. J.E. Linn. Several months before her departure she personally requested Bro. Adams to officiate at this service.

Pallbearers were three sons, John William, Ralph, three sons-in-law, Andy Davis, David Showalter, and Chester Myers.

Flower girls were a granddaughter, Beverly Myers, her school friends, Jean Cain, Patty Keeling, Rae Ann Hester, Jean Steele and Coleen Jewett.

The pianist was Mrs. Flossie Potts, Omaha, Nebr.; the singers-Paul Rosentrotter, John Damon, Josie Fattig, and Miss Cummings of the bible School, Tabor, Ia.

Interment was in the New Liberty Cemetery to await the resurrection.
Source: Records/Holt County Missouri Historical Society, Mound City, MO.