Alice Milliken Combs
Alice Elizabeth Milliken Combs was born November 5, 1926 in Houston, TX to Dr. Samuel and Mrs. Harriet Milliken. She died on November 1, 2023 at home in Edna, TX at the age of 96.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Mauritz Combs, her son Robert Mauritz Combs, and her siblings Harriet Milliken Gould and Samuel Gibbs Milliken, Jr.
Alice is survived by her loving family: her daughter Elizabeth and husband Bruce Rogers of Victoria; and daughter Courtney and husband Richard Harper of Houston. She is also survived by five grandchildren and four great grandchildren: Stephen Rogers and wife Amanda of Victoria (Addison and Owen); Wilson Rogers and wife Ginny of Victoria (Bain); John Rogers and wife Emily of Victoria (Henry); Travis Harper of Houston; and Evan Harper of Houston. Additional survivors include her sister-in-law Marie Milliken of Austin and her two nieces: Tamara and husband Dwight Galbi of Austin and Adana and husband Mike Gipson of Georgetown, TX and their two sons David and Paul.
Alice had a loving and charmed upbringing in Houston surrounded by extended family and lifelong friends. At the age of 18, she was in the first graduating twelfth grade class of The Kincaid School where she earned the high honor of valedictorian. Her senior yearbook page states that she loved to buy clothes and go to slumber parties. Alice commented that being late was probably her worst fault! Her plan to attend college at Rice Institute was interrupted by health issues. Upon recovery, she attended the Hockaday School for Girls – Junior College in Dallas, TX. For many of her adult years, Alice remained in close contact with classmates from both Kincaid and Hockaday.
Much of Alice’s early life was defined by the tuberculosis epidemic sweeping the country, which led to the early death of her father and to her own extended battle with the vicious disease.
While recuperating in a Kerrville sanitarium, she met a tall, handsome fellow patient, Mauritz “Bill” Combs. The rest, as they say, is history.
Bill was immediately smitten by her in every way except for one – family lore is that he only uttered her name “Alice” once in his life – when reciting their wedding vows. She was always Copper to him – the name he lovingly chose because of the color of her hair. She than became Copper to many friends.
In 1953, their first daughter Elizabeth was born and was followed by Courtney 11 months later. The family was completed by the birth of their son Robert in 1966. A dedicated mother and grandmother, Copper unconditionally loved her growing family and was the glue that held family and friends together.
She created magical birthday and holiday celebrations and shared her love of the Central Texas Hill Country with her family. Copper gave her all to family but still reserved time and energy to serve her community and her church.
A member of the Edna Presbyterian Church for more than sixty years, she served as President of the Women of the Church, organized numerous luncheons and congregational gatherings, and enjoyed attending retreats at Mo Ranch located in Hunt, TX. Copper also provided leadership for the 1984 restoration of the 125-year-old Texana Presbyterian Church after it was relocated to the grounds of the Edna Presbyterian Church. Copper was a longtime board member of Hospice of South Texas, Victoria, TX and of Oak Creek Village, an independent senior living community in Edna.
Funeral services for Copper will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023 at 2:30 P.M. at the Edna Presbyterian Church, 502 Apollo Drive, Edna, TX. Interment in the Ganado City Cemetery will precede the funeral services and will be held at 1 P.M. Monday, November 6, 2023.
Pallbearers are her grandsons Stephen, Wilson, John, Travis and Evan and her son-in-law Richard. Her son-in-law Bruce is an honorary pallbearer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of South Texas, Victoria, TX (hospiceofsouthtexas.org) or to a charity of your choice.
The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Norma Plasczyk, Angelia Farrias, Vanessa Adames, Amy Kelly and Mirta Chapa for the comfort and care that our mother received from each of them during the past year.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Oaklawn Funeral Home, Edna, TX. 361/782-2221.
Oaklawnfhednatx.com.