Shelby Jean Combs

Shelby Jean Combs, a longtime resident of London, Kentucky, passed away on February 26, 2026, at the Heritage Nursing and Rehab Facility in Corbin, Kentucky, at the age of 88. She was born on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1937, in Simpson, Kentucky, Breathitt County, and was a graduate of Breathitt High School, Class of 1956.

She was the beloved daughter of the late Joe and Elizabeth Little Sweeney and was united in marriage on March 9, 1957, to Frank Roger Combs, who preceded her in death in June of 2019.

Jean leaves behind a loving family, including two sons: Robert Anthony Combs and wife Leshia of London, Kentucky, and David Joseph Combs and wife Rhonda of Richmond, Kentucky. Her greatest joys in life were her four grandchildren: Brandon Combs (Haley) of Richmond, Kentucky; Brittany Combs (Shelby) of Frankfort, Kentucky; Madison Clark (Nathan) and Hayden Combs (Alex), both of London, Kentucky. She was also blessed to welcome her first great grandchild, Noah Brooks Clark, in 2024.

In addition to her parents and husband she is also preceded in death by two siblings, Ivory Stapleton and Boyd Sweeney.

Jean was a devoted member of Park Place Church of God, where she faithfully attended and taught Sunday School for many years. Frank and Jean opened the first Convenient Food Mart in Corbin in 1969. In 1973, the family moved to London, Kentucky, where they opened Nite Hawk Food Mart on West 5th Street, which they operated until 1985. After closing Nite Hawk, Jean and Frank operated full-time Frank R. Combs Real Estate until their retirement in 1999. Jean was an avid golfer and a longtime member of London Country Club and the Cumberland Ladies Golf League until her health began to decline. Most importantly, Jean will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother whose love and devotion to her family never wavered.

The Combs family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Jean's dear friend, Brenda Wilkerson, for the exceptional care she provided for Jean.

The funeral service for Shelby Jean Combs will be conducted at 3 pm Sunday in the Bowling Funeral Home Chapel with Steven Baker officiating. Burial will follow in A.R. Dyche Memorial Park in London.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1:30 pm Sunday until the funeral hour of 3 pm at Bowling Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Clark, Brandon Combs, Alex Wilson, Shelby Strong, Raymond Creech and Bill Helton.

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