Elbert E. "Cowboy" Combs

Elbert E. “Cowboy” Combs, Sr., age 68, of 150 Dairy Farm Road (Sandlick), Bluefield, WV, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Princeton Community Hospital. Born on January 20, 1946 in Bluefield (Sandlick), he was a son of the late Charles Edward “Cowboy” and Juanita Ball Combs. He had been a lifelong resident of Sandlick and was a former driver and mechanic in the trucking industry, as owner/operator of trucks and the former E & E Repair of Sandlick. Elbert had retired early (1996) from the trucking business to care for his wife after her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis. His own health began to decline shortly after her passing (2006). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Sonja Lynn Combs; daughter, Kathryn Stephenson; brothers, Joseph, Billy, Carl, Charles, and Paul; and sisters, Mattie Burchett, Flora Mae Redman, Rebecca Sadler, and Mary Booher. Survivors include sons, Elbert E. “Gene” Combs, Jr. (Lori) of Princeton and Robert Combs (Amanda) of Tallahassee, FL; 9 grandchildren; brother, Ernest Combs of Sandlick; sisters, Nora Trivett (Smith) of Pipestem, True Kay Berry (Bob) of Grand Junction, CO, Carol “Libby” Wagner of Green Valley, Joy Hubbard (David) of Glenwood, and Lena Combs (Al) of Grand Junction, CO; a host of nieces and nephews; and a special nephew and former caregiver, Lee Wagner of Sandlick. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with Rev. James Milam officiating. Private burial will follow at a later time in the Combs Family Cemetery on Sandlick Road where family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call prior to the funeral service on Saturday from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell (3431 Coal Heritage Road, Bluefield, WV 24701) is serving the Combs family.