Mary Lou Combs

Mary Lou Liner Combs, passed away on November 22, 2017 at the age of 89. She was born on September 16, 1928 in Franklin, NC, the only child of the late Tressie Russell Liner and Lawrence B. Liner. In addition to her parents, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cass, on September 13, 2017, as well as son-in-law David Smith, sister-in-law Patricia Fluharty; brothers-in-law Frank Okura, Donald Combs, and Pete Neyman.

Mary Lou is survived by her sons, Lawrence (Randi) Combs and Lucian (Judy) Combs; daughters, Candace Smith and Melanie Combs. Also surviving are 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; sisters-in-law, Joan Okura, Betty Combs and Paula Neyman; brother-in-law, Doug (Donna) Neyman; and treasured cousins.

Pallbearers are children, Lucian Combs and Melanie Combs, and grandchildren, Jeff Combs, Jason Combs, Ryan Combs and Erin Jewell.

Mary Lou graduated from Fort Sanders School of Nursing in Knoxville, TN, and enjoyed working as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee, Washington DC, and North Carolina. She especially enjoyed her years of nursing in her beloved hometown, serving as night supervisor the last several years of her career at the former Angel Community Hospital.

There was always an extra place at the table and Mary Lou made each person feel at home with her warmth, beautiful smile, quick wit and soul-warming food. Her sourdough bread was always a hit and she was known as the “cookie lady”, providing thousands of cookies to many in the community over the years. Her heart and passion was the love she had for her family, especially Cass, her children, cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Visitation will be held at Iotla Baptist Church on Saturday, November 25, 2017 beginning at 12:30 PM followed by a service at 2:00 PM. Officiating will be Pastor Brandon Breedlove and Rev. Steve Reeves. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

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

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

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