Joyce M. Combs

Joyce Merle Abbott Combs, May 2, 1925-October 13, 2022—Joyce Combs of Lubbock, Texas, age 97, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2022. She was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, daughter of William Abbott Sr. and Ruth Oswald Abbott.

Joyce grew up in Massachusetts and New Jersey. She was a comptometer operator in New York City during WWII. She met her husband Richard during a snow storm at a train station in New Jersey. They were married in New Jersey in 1952. They lived in New Jersey, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Ohio, North Carolina, and finally Lubbock, Texas. In her final years she lived near her daughter in Illinois and California before finally coming back home to Lubbock, Texas in the months before her passing.

She was predeceased by her husband Richard Newell Combs I, son Steven Lawrence Combs, and grandson Devon Arthur Combs. She is survived by sons Richard Newell Combs II, Brian Ernest Combs, Kevin Andrew Combs, and daughter Janet Ellen Combs Jones, along with grandchildren Richard Newell Combs III, Daniel Edward Combs, Angela Diane Ruth Jones Noble, Laura Katherine Combs, and Emmaline Jade Combs.

During the years while raising her five children, she worked as a crossing guard, newspaper carrier, and preschool Sunday School teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina. After moving to Lubbock, Texas in 1977, she taught preschool Sunday School at Highland Baptist Church where she was an active member. Joyce was a beloved newspaper carrier for the Lubbock Avalanche Journal for 20 years. She received multiple awards and much news coverage during her career prior to retiring at age 65.

Joyce and her husband Richard supported various overseas Christian missionaries throughout their lifetimes.

Her memorial service is being held Saturday, October 22 at 10 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Preschool & Children Memorials Fund at Highland Baptist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com for the Combs family.