Nita Combs

Juanita “Nita” Black Combs passed away peacefully on December 9, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Ellisville, MS on December 30, 1931.  She was raised there with her two sisters, and ultimately met the love of her life, Ken Combs, while attending Jones County Junior College.  They were married on November 11, 1950, and had five children before they moved to Gulfport in 1965, where they lived for the remainder of their lives.

She was a Trinity United Methodist Church member for 55+ years and served as the church secretary for many of those years.

She was preceded in death by husband. Ken; parents, Frank and Carrie Mae Black; sisters, Sue Flowers and Janet Jones; granddaughter, Carrye Anna Longino; and son-in-law, Chuck Cruthirds.

She is survived by children, Cathy Longino, Bob (Bobbi Helms) Combs, Carol Combs Smith, Ken (Edie Waltman) Combs, and Frances McGuire Cruthirds.  She is also survived by grandchildren, Houston (Christina) Longino, Rob (Jen) Combs, Carl Combs, Cory (Justin Peligri) Combs, Scott (Amber) Smith, Nic (Lauren) Smith, Christina (Brandon) Pike, Jourdyn Combs (Ryan Lawrence), Ken III (Chloe) Combs, Trace (Amanda) McGuire, Jeffrey (Bess) McGuire, and Ross Cruthirds (Haley); and great-grandchildren Lucy and Willow Longino, Maddy Combs, Lawrence Smith, Tyler Smith, Braydon Smith, Noah Smith, Ellie Joe Smith, Lily Trosclair, Annabelle Trosclair, Malerie Pike, Laney Pike, Avery Pike, Sam Pike, Leyla Kokce, Austin Hardin, Henry McGuire, Walker McGuire, and Grady Cruthirds.

Services will take place at Riemann's Funeral Home on Three Rivers Road in Gulfport on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, with visitation beginning at 12:00 pm and service at 1:00 pm.

Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com