Perie Beattie Combee-Smith

Perie J. Combee-Smith, 93, went home to meet her Heavenly Father on Saturday, December 27, 2025.

While our hearts are broken and we grieve her passing, we rejoice in knowing she is healed, whole, and celebrating eternal life in Heaven. 

Perie was born on June 1, 1932, in Patterson, NJ, to the late Matthew Beattie, Sr and Perie Beattie (DeVisser). She was the wife of Clearence L. Combee (Skip) for 47 years before his passing July 1, 2000. She then after being widowed for 16 years and found the second love of her life, Albert Smith, and was married on May 15, 2016. They spent almost 4 years together until his passing on February 15, 2020. October 1, 2020, she moved to NC to live with her youngest daughter, Kathy, and her husband, Vernon.

She spent many years working different jobs in the Leigh Valley but retired from Leigh Valley Hospital (food service) in 2000. A woman of quiet strength and deep faith, Perie lived her life with a servant's heart. She loved her family and found joy in caring for others, offering kindness, wisdom, and a listening ear whenever it was needed. Her faith in Jesus guided her life, and that faith gives her family comfort and peace today.

Perie was one of six siblings, and was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers, Martha Storms, Margret Hampton, Edmound Beattie, and John Beattie. She is survived by one brother, Matthew Beattie Jr. of Hoffmeister, NY.

She also leaves behind two daughters and two stepsons whom she loved deeply, Linda Dutton (Ric) of TN and Kathy Brown (Vernon) of NC; and former son-in law, Keith Sell of PA; and stepsons, Kevin Smith (Kayln) of PA and Kyle Smith (Sherry) of PA. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Jason Sell, Jessica Sell Niedosik, Jenna Davis, Wesley Chapman, Taylor Chapman, and Ashley Makemson; step-grandsons, Dylan Smith, Sawyer Smith, and Jory Brown; and step-granddaughters, Cassie Rambo and Meghan (Smith) Quier. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Jeremy Sell; and step-grandson, Zachary Smith. She had 14 great-grandchildren, 4 step great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren on the way in April.

A visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 9, 2026, and a service at 11:00 AM at Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, 4702 Colebrook Ave, Emmaus, PA 18049. burial will be immediately following at Cedar Hill Memorial Park 1700 Airport Road, Allentown, PA 18109.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Perie to Leigh Valley Baptist Church, 702 Cole Brook Ave, Emmaus, PA 18049, or to Gospel Light Baptist Church, 890 Walkertown Guthrie Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Though she will be deeply missed here on earth, we take comfort in the promise of Scripture and the assurance that Perie is now rejoicing in the presence of her Savior.