Wanda Faye Combs

Wanda Faye Combs--beloved mother, sister, and friend--passed away on October 26th, 2021. She was born, alongside her sister Wilma, to George Forrest Combs and Mary Elizabeth Combs on December 31st, 1952 at Selma Baptist Hospital in Selma, Alabama. Her mother always said that her father fainted in the waiting room when the nurse came in and told him he had twins. She, her sister, and older brother Marcus Combs grew up in Uniontown and Greensboro, AL. Her sister Wilma recalls: “We were tomboys who loved climbing trees and playing outside. We even rode the neighborhood Great Dane like he was a pony! We loved to sing, and when we were in elementary school--about 2nd or 3rd grade--being twins, the teachers would have us take messages to other classrooms. When we delivered the message, the teacher would ask us to sing for the class and we did it happily! One song I remember Mama taught us that we sang was: ‘We ain’t got a barrel of money; maybe we’re ragged and funny; but we’ll travel, travel along, singing our song, side by side.’ In a word, we were a ‘hoot.’ “ The family was introduced to the the truths found in the Bible when Wanda and her siblings were young. Wilma remembers: “We did not meet a stranger. We would talk about Jehovah to anybody who would listen. A special pioneer couple (the Martins) studied with our family and they would take us in service in unassigned territory in the summer months. We would pack a lunch and Mama and Daddy would take us with them when they went to work to meet the Martins--about an hour’s drive from our home--and they would pick us up and we would go in service for the entire day.” She dedicated her life to God as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on March 15th, 1968. Wanda moved to Georgia in 1979, while working for Bell South, where she worked for over 30 years in telecommunications before retiring in 2011. On January 2, 1980, her son Brannon was born. Any time Wanda talked about her son, her eyes would light up and her face beamed with pride as she talked fondly about her “baby,” even after he was full grown and not so little anymore. Her care and self-sacrifice in raising her son was a testament to her genuine and loving nature. Over the years, she and Brannon enjoyed being in a variety of congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in the metro Atlanta area, where they made many lifelong friends. They moved to Loganville in 1996, where they eventually became part of the English Loganville congregation. Wanda gained a daughter when her son married Victoria Drothler in 2014. Tori has often expressed appreciation for how readily Wanda accepted her, not just as her beloved son’s wife, but as her own daughter. She was known for being truly sincere in the love, support and generosity she showed toward others. Many of her friends and family expressed appreciation for her vibrant spirit, her readiness to be a confidant, and earnest source of encouragement during difficult times in their lives. Helen Payne, a dear friend of Wanda’s, relates: "Wanda was a special lady. She meant an awful lot to me. She was like one of my own daughters. Sometimes I called Wanda just because she was so reassuring to talk to and so up-building, and I admired her spirituality. I miss Wanda so very much. I used to kind of tease her, saying she ought to give parenting classes because she raised such a beautiful son. She was very modest and one of the most giving people I've ever been around. She answered a need for me. I could confide in her anytime and she was always gracious. She's a dear loyal friend, and I look forward to seeing her in the new system." Helen’s daughter Linda includes: “All the memories I have of Wanda are fond ones. She was very positive, fun to be with, loyal and faithful to Jehovah. The first time I met her was at a wedding right after my sister-in-law died, and I shared with her that I was dealing with depression. Instantaneously, she attached herself to me and helped me. Everybody in my family fell in love with her and Brannon. I’m going to miss Wanda for a long, long, long time.” Long-time friend Elaine Deschaine recalls: “When I think of Wanda, my dear friend and spiritual sister, I think of her BIG heart. There was a time in my life I was going through a very difficult situation and she was right there making sure all my needs were taken care of. She was the friend that is mentioned in Proverbs 17:17: ‘A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother (sister) that is born for when there is distress.’ We had many good times together! And that heart raised her son Brannon to have the same Big heart! They are like family to me, and I know I will see her soon in the promised resurrection (John 5:28, 29)." Wanda loved many varieties of music, singing, traveling to the beach and other destinations with family and friends, and enjoying time with her loved ones, especially her great niece and nephews, who affectionately referred to her as "Aunt Nana". She often spoke of how eagerly she looked forward to the future hope when Jehovah’s name will be vindicated, and when she can once again see her parents and grandparents, in the earthly paradise the Bible promises. We now hope intently in the day when we can welcome her back alongside them. (John 5:28, 29; Psalm 37:11, 29) Wanda is preceded in death by her father George and mother Mary Elizabeth Combs. She is survived by her son, Brannon (and wife Victoria) Combs; brother Marcus (and wife Elsie) Combs; sister Wilma (and husband Lloyd) Kynard; aunt Bobbie Jean Atkins; cousins Dwaine Morton, Brenda Morton Northcutt, Nan Morton Vines, Sylvia Henry, Lynn Mullins, and Tina Myers, Paul Combs, Melissa Combs and Donna Jo Combs; nieces and nephew: Cicely-Shae, Jerrod and Misty; great niece and nephews: Prestlee, Nicholas, Jordan, Henley, Caleb, Madden, Layda, Renden and Jaiden.

Wanda Faye Combs

December 31, 1952 - October 26, 2021