Frankie N. Payne Combs

Frankie N. Payne Combs, age 88, of Johnson City, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2014, in Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, WV. Frankie was born in Shouns, TN and resided in Johnson City for most of her life. She was the daughter of the late Hobart and Lydia Ann Payne. In addition to her parents; her son of 56 years Wayne Combs; two brothers, Billy Payne and Johnny Payne; and two sisters, Lenna Payne and Dorothy Pierce preceded her in death. Survivors include: son, Dale K. Combs and daughter-in-law, Brenda Combs; sister, Marlene Helms; grandson, Jeremy Combs; three granddaughters, Lisa Reid, Sonya Rouse, and Aimee Combs; two step-grandsons, Brendon Clark and Ryan Clark; six great grandsons; three great granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews. Frankie retired from the VA Medical Center at Mountain Home with the VA Canteen Service. She was also employed at Oak Ridge during Americas secret project to create its first atomic bomb, which helped to end the war in the Pacific. Frankie was a loving and faithfully dedicated single mother. Although of modest means, Frankie enjoyed the experience of travel to almost every state of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. She also visited Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, and Okinawa. Special thanks to granddaughter Sonya Rouse, who provided live-in support to Frankie for the past four years. Sonyas son and Frankies great grandson, Camron Bawgus, had a unique relationship with Frankie and provided added variety to her life. The family of Frankie N. Combs will receive friends from 12 to 2 PM Wednesday, January 22, 2014 in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 2 PM in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. The graveside committal service will follow in the Monte Vista Memorial Park.