Carolyn Jean Combs

Carolyn Combs died peacefully on July 29, 2025 with her daughters Bobbie and Jean watching over her. She is survived by daughters Bobbie Combs (Chris), Jean McDonald (Robert) and Susan Puruleski; sons Michael Combs and Chuck Combs; grandchildren Kyra and Keane McDonald, Ashley Underwood-Mominee, Katelyn Dimitriou and Donald and Julia Puruleski, Mariah and Autumn Combs, Cory and Emily Combs, and Chelsea and Katie Daniels; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit Combs; her parents, Zelma and Earl Homer and Charles Anderson; and her sister, Betty Hildebrand.

Carolyn was born in Akron, Ohio and adopted by Zelma and Charles Anderson at age 5. She grew up in Barberton, Ohio, where she met her future husband, Kermit Combs, in middle school. In addition to being an avid roller skater and bike rider, Carolyn was very involved in music as a young person, playing the accordion and singing in choir both at church and school—and she was even featured singing on a local radio show.

She graduated from Barberton High School with Kermit and they were married in 1960, beginning their family in 1961. In 1967, they moved to the Greater Cincinnati area and finished raising their family there, until they retired and moved to Florida in 2001. After Kermit’s death in 2017, Carolyn moved to Maryland to be near two of her daughters. Wherever she lived, Carolyn found a church home and was actively involved, especially at the Mt. Washington Baptist Church and the Cocoa Beach Baptist Church.

Carolyn always worked outside the home, as a delivery driver, a bank courier, and a security guard. She continued her roller skating and bicycling, added swimming to the mix and bringing her children along for the fun. As a family, they camped, hiked and travelled. She sang in the church choir and was a member of the Sweet Adelines, singing barbershop for several years. Kermit was an avid pilot and for a time he and Carolyn owned their own plane. After their retirement they travelled north to visit all of their children and grandchildren annually.

Carolyn spent her retirement roller skating, riding her motorcycle and visiting the beach almost daily. Throughout her life, she was open and friendly, welcoming all to her family and spreading her love of Jesus. Together, she and Kermit taught their children that “family comes first” and their family will keep that close going forward.