Cassa "Cass" Combs

Cassa Marlin Miller Combs, “Cass”, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, at the age of 88. He was born in Covington, KY on July 15, 1929, to the late Stella Rodgers Combs and Lucian Combs.

In addition to his parents, Cass was preceded in death by his stepparents, Rheanette Neyman and Doug Neyman; sisters, Mildred Combs and Patricia Fluharty; brothers Donald Combs and Pete Neyman; brother‑in‑law, Frank Okura and son‑in‑law, David Smith.

Cass is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Lou Liner Combs. Also surviving are sons, Lawrence (Randi) Combs and Lucian (Judy) Combs; daughters, Candace Smith and Melanie Combs; grandsons, Jeff (Rhonda) Combs, Jason (Shauna) Combs and Ryan (Dominique) Combs; granddaughters, Erin (Nathan) Jewell, Michelle Jennings and April (Scott) Ray; great‑grandchildren, Stella and Leo Combs, Kayla and Amara Combs, Marlin Combs, Anastasia (Tyler) Scheufele, Madison, Ben and Carter Scheufele, Keegan and Kinsey Leary, and Scotty Ray; sister, Joan Okura; brother, Doug (Donna) Neyman; sisters‑in‑law, Betty Combs and Paula Neyman, as well as a host of cherished nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are children, Lucian Combs and Melanie Combs, and grandchildren, Jeff Combs, Jason Combs, Ryan Combs and Erin Jewell. Honorary pallbearers are former fellow Power Company employees.

Cass served in the United States Marine Corps at Marine Barracks 8th and I in Washington, DC, where he was among the first members of the Silent Drill Platoon. He was honorably discharged after four years of service and made NC his home. He enjoyed working for Nantahala Power Company for 34 years beginning with the Right‑of‑Way Crew and retiring as Safety Manager. Cass’s love of reading and literature was a gift passed down to each of his children and grandchildren. He also was an artist and enjoyed working in various mediums. He especially enjoyed painting one of his adopted NC mountains, “Fish Hawk”. His taste in music was eclectic and he had a life‑long love of learning.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 23 at 12:30 PM followed by a service at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home. Officiating will be Rev. Steve Reeves and Pastor Brandon Breedlove. Interment will follow at Iotla Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The American Diabetes Association, PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215 or Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Combs family. Online condolences may be made at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

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