Gena Holcombe

Carolyn Genevieve Holcombe passed Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., at her home in Greenville, SC, surrounded by love.
Gena, a loving mom, suffered for over five years with a traumatic brain injury that occurred on August 6, 2019. For the last five and a half years she has been well cared for in her home by her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Karen.
Gena was born on October 26, 1933, to the late T.C. and Myrtle Forest of Greenville, SC. She attended Parker High School and Tremont Avenue Church of God. Gena met her husband, Jerry Holcombe, at church and they were married for 47 years, until Jerry Holcombe passed away in 2000.
She was a dedicated military wife and mother who lived an adventurous life and was willing to relocate with their three sons every other year. Her husband, Col. (Ret.) Jerry Holcombe, held numerous command posts in Korea, Kansas, Hawaii, Atlanta, and Augusta, GA. Gena did an excellent job keeping three rowdy boys in line while Jerry was on assignment overseas.
While living at different posts, she spent her free time volunteering. One of the organizations she served at was the Red Cross. Gena also loved to play bridge. In Leavenworth, Kansas she had the opportunity to play with inmates in the federal prison. Gena was always ready to go to the beach. Trips to Myrtle Beach have created many memories for her family and friends. Gena also loved to read and was a patron of the Greenville County Library System. She ran a house divided with one son, a UGA fan and two sons being Clemson fans. She enjoyed the rivalry between both universities.
Over the years, Gena cared for and loved Schnauzers. To which she was lovingly devoted. She also possessed the skill to rescue sick orchids from the floral department at Bi-Lo, an ability she thoroughly enjoyed. Gena's orchids were always beautiful because of her legendary green thumb.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to hospice staff who so amazingly and lovingly took care of Gena, especially Jeremy Cowan.
Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Van Holcombe (Debbie), Mark Holcombe (Karen), and Brian Holcombe; granddaughters, Caroline and Madelyn; sister, Linda Williams (Jess); brother, Col. (Ret.) Ron Forest (Redon); nephew, Thom Moore (Jo); along with many great nieces, nephews, and close family and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Gena is preceded in death by a brother, Clyde Forest; sisters, Doris Moore and Marguerite Hindman; daughter-in-law, Cheree Holcombe; and father and mother -in-law, C.D. and Geddis "Pete" Holcombe.
Memorials may be made to the Greenville County Library System, https://www.greenvillelibrary.org. or the Greenville American Red Cross, 1940 Grove Rd. Greenville, SC 29605.
A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown with the funeral service at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel. Burial will be in First Baptist Church of Mauldin Cemetery.
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Gena with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory".