Pastor Garland Combs, 87, of Plant City, died Oct. 13, 2015, at home under the care of LifePath Hospice Aqua Team.
Pastor Combs was raised on a farm in Chattanooga, Tennessee and knew what hard work was all about. He graduated from Tyner High School, where he was the captain of the football team and played basketball and baseball and participated in many other activities.
He served two years in the United States Army during the Korean War, spending one year in Germany.
In 1954, he gave his heart and life to the Lord, and later felt God leading him into full-time Christian service.
He enrolled in Tennessee Temple University, spending four years in Bible school and three years in college. While in college, he was Associate Pastor at Kings Point Baptist Church for five years.
After college, he pastored Shepherd Baptist Church in Tennessee from 1965 to 1983, at which time he moved to Florida. He pastored Simmons Loop Baptist Church at Riverview from 1983-1995. He pastored at Lebanon Baptist Church in Plant City from 1996-2013, where ill health forced him into retirement; he was honored to become Emeritus Pastor.
He had a long and happy life serving the Lord.
He is survived by his loving wife, Geneva “Sally” Baker Combs; son, Lee Combs (Carrie); “adopted son,” Glen Churchwell; grandchildren, Devin Combs and Taylor Combs; sisters, Wanda Nolan and Patty Morrison; and nieces and nephews, Mike Nolan, Eddie Nolan, Malinda Nolan, Karen Nolan, Kim McRoy (Terry) and Amy Byrd (Ken).
He was preceded in death by his parents, I.C. and Pauline Davis Combs; brother, Stanley Combs; and stepmother, Edith Melton Combs.
A celebration of life was held Saturday, Oct. 17, at Hopewell Funeral Home. Committal followed at Hopewell Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to LifePath Hospice, Development Dept., 12470 Telecom Drive, Suite 300, Temple Terrace, Florida 33637.
Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.