Adrienne Maudelle Lavinia Combs

Ms. Adrienne Melvin Combs of Hampton, Virginia, died March 24, 2025. A native of Atlanta, Ga., she was born October 25,1952, to the late JoAnn Bearden Vickers. She was the oldest of three children. She was lovingly, adopted by her parents the late Dr. Horace W. Melvin, Jr. from Norfolk, VA and his wife, Mrs. Johnelle Kelly Melvin from Houston, TX. She was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years, Gregory Lavon Combs of Newport News and her birth mother Mrs. JoAnn Bearden.
Ms. Combs was formerly the Deputy Public Affairs Officer for Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. She was also a park ranger with Colonial National Historical Park - Yorktown Battlefield and Jamestown Island. She ended her career in federal service with 45 years of service. She graduated with magna cum laude and departmental honors from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Hampton, VA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a dual minor in English and Journalism.
She was an exchange student with the Hampton Consortium Program in Rome, Italy at the American University in Rome with studies focused on Early Modern Europe and Renaissance and Reformation. She is also a graduate of the National Park Service Academy Ranger Skills Course and the National Park Service Academy in Harper's Ferry, West VA Interpretive Skills and Historical Preservation Course.
She was a graduate of the Defense Information School Public Affairs Qualification Course, Intermediate Photojournalism Course and Editor's Course. She also took numerous graduate level and civil service training courses and was qualified as a Contracting Officer Representative.
Ms. Combs was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, and Kappa Tau Alpha Journalism Honor Society. She was the recipient of the Ancient Order of Saint Gabriel which is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the U.S. Army Public Affairs community and practice. She also served as a Board Member for the Army Public Affairs Association.
She served as a trainer for scout leaders with Colonial Coast Girl Scout Council and was a troop leader for St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church Girl Scout Troops 115, 1086, 1350 and 1081. She also served as a service unit manager for service unit 625 for the Girl Scouts. She also served as troop advancement chairperson for St. Cyprian's Boy Scout Troop 404.
She has been a member of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church since 1959. She served the church in various functions to include Sunday School Superintendent, Kl-3 Primary Sunday School teacher, and director of the Children's Choir, a member of the Altar Guild and she worked with the acolyte master to take care of acolyte vestments for the church. She was a member of the Daughters of the King, St. Anne's Chapter at St. Cyprian's.
While she lived in Fort Washington, MD she was a member of St Paul's Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, MD. She was a faithful member of the Bible study group and taught arts and crafts at vacation Bible School.
She is survived by her son Horace Kelley Combs-Henry (Angie) of Minneapolis, MN; her daughter, Shirley Combs Nightingale and son-in-law, Nelo Nightingale of Hampton, VA; stepsons Courtney Henry (Shamara) and Kevin Henry (Tasiana) of Minneapolis, MN; her adopted daughters Amira and Amanda Baker; adopted son SSG Dontae Skywalker.
She was a beloved grandmother to Gregory Deshon Combs, Christian, Hannah Jones; Brenden, James, Kevin, Jameson and Courtney, Jr. Henry; cousin, Linda Howard of Los Angeles, CA, cousins Christopher C. Melvin, Jr. and Anne Louise Melvin of Chicago, ILL; cousin, Vickie Wesley, Sydney Wesley, Skipper Williams and family of Atlanta, Ga.: Marissa (Dave) Roberts, NY.; Harrison Brown, MD; Jessica Jai Brown, GA.; Brothers, Wesley C. Vickers, and William Vickers of Atlanta, Ga.; adopted sisters, Yvonne Bell- Kennedy (John), Fern Richarson (Freddie), Mary L. Tall-Jackson, Stephanie Kendall, and Lucretia Clayton of Hampton, VA and their families.
Mrs. Combs is also survived by a rich legacy of loving family members, the Braxton, Dawkins, Stone and Cooke Families She also had very special and loving friends, Shari Lawrence, Ruby Richmond, Rebecca Wriggle, Gloria and Charles Allen, Charlotte and Sharita Gray, Kathy Rhem, Jean Boyd, members of Daughters of the King and her church family at St. Cyprian's Church and the Joint Force Headquarters/U.S. Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs staff.
She will be remembered for her love for her family and friends and love for her church.
Viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. followed by a Wake service starting at 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2025 at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025 at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church. Interment will be in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UV Health Charles O. Stickler Transplant Center - Transplant Patient Assistance Fund. Please make checks payable to UVA Health Transplant Center; the address is University of Virginia, PO Box 37963, Boone, Iowa, 50037 or to Saint Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 1242 W. Queen Street, Hampton, Va. 23669