Marilyn Ruth "Toodie" Combs
Marilyn Ruth "Toodie" Combs, 79, of Falling Water, Tn. passed peacefully at her home on April 12th, 2025.
Marilyn was born on May 8, 1945, in her home, and was the daughter of the late Paul L. Combs and Lottie Brown Combs. She was attended Union Springs Baptist Church and later attended North Red Bank Baptist.
During childbirth, she sustained a traumatic brain injury that resulted in speech impairments, as well as a learning comprehension disability. Despite these challenges, she compensated her deficiencies through her exceptional humor, rapid wit, strong will, OCD, joyful smile and laughter, stubbornness, and profound love and care for her family and friends. Marilyn was unaware that she was created to be one-of-a kind and possessed the resilience to overcome every challenge she faced throughout her remarkable 79 years. She never realized that her presence in her family’s life through multiple generations would teach them invaluable lessons of perseverance, kindness, how to love, patience, and most importantly to be a voice for those who lacked the ability to advocate for themselves.
After the passing of her mother, her sister Katherine took on the roll as her guardian and caregiver for over 30 years. Katherine enrolled her in the Orange Grove Center, where she enjoyed working in the Industrial Training Center, starting in 1989. Marilyn worked on an assembly line putting caps on ink pens. She started out at the beginning of the line but had to be moved to the end because she was too fast, and the line was getting bogged down in the middle. When her sister Katherine retired, that’s when Marilyn started telling everyone "Me retired” in 2005. She started her new job soon after her retirement from Orange Grove as the new “Head of the Neighborhood Watch”. She kept up with news and events that happened on her road.
Marilyn lived a life of order and was not a fan of change. She spent almost everyday with the same routine that started with watching Gunsmoke, Beverly Hillbillies, and Andy Griffith. While watching her shows, she colored in her coloring books or worked on her most prized possession which were her stack of Word Search books and her ink pen. Marilyn’s stack of Word Search books went everywhere with her, and she never let them out of her sight even while she slept. Once Marilyn was in bed, she ended her day with singing gospel songs that transitioned into the “Old McDonald Had a Farm” song. She finished her bedroom concert with occasional clapping of her hands that sounded like cymbals around 3 a.m.
Marilyn enjoyed listening to country music and gospel songs and would dance to any tune she heard. The whole house could hear her singing and clapping in her bedroom when she had Alan Jackson playing in her CD player. She always looked forward to getting her hair done and showing it off. Marilyn was diabetic and aware of the foods she could not eat. Captain D’s fish was her favorite and number one pick when asked what she wanted to eat. Marilyn loved when her family use to get together and would have the biggest smile on her face knowing someone was coming to see her.
Marilyn had her own unique language that only her family or the ones closest to her could understand. Throughout her life, her family would sometimes use “Toodie language” when speaking or telling a funny story. Marilyn always pointed out "me wear this today" talking about her outfit to start a conversation and would wait for you to reply, "That looks so good on you". She never missed a day to ask, "What you do today?" and she always anticipated you asking her the same. Her loving heart would shine no matter what kind of day she had.
Marilyn’s innocent child like behavior was what made her even more special. She was a bright light. A constant that you could always count on to be there. This world lost a rare gem, but heaven gained a special angel. Without a doubt, all of her challenges on Earth are all gone now. She is celebrating her new life. If you knew Marilyn, you were fortunate. She was a gift from God and very loved.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul L. Comb and Lottie Brown Combs; her sister, Katherine Snyder, four brothers, Raulston, Ralph, Kenneth, and Roy Combs.
She is survived by her sister, Vicky Morgan (Bobby) of Hendersonville, Tn.; niece, Sandy (James) Downer, great-niece, Natalie (Andrew) Bigham, great-nephew, Jamie Downer, and great-great nephew and niece, Cameron and Camilla, all of Hixson, along with several other nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces who she loved and spoke of often.
A special thank you to her daytime caregiver, Carol Ann Holloway, who not only cared for Marilyn, but also loved her and was Marilyn’s buddy.
Pall Bearers: James Downer, Bobby Raymer, Cameron Downer, Andrew Bigham, Jamie Downer, and Charlie Tweed.
Visitation will be on Thursday, April 17, from 4-8 p.m. and Friday, April 18, starting a 1 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel on Highway 153.
Funeral services will be Friday, April 18, at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel with Jerry Yother officiating.
Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.