Remembering Jim Combs

January 13, 1938 - February 7, 2017

James Kemper Combs, 79, was born January 13, 1938 in their family home In Crab Orchard, WV,  and passed from this life on to glory at 3:45 pm on February 7, 2017, at his home in Moore, Oklahoma. James (Jim) was born the third of fifteen children, to Rev. William Cecil Combs and Norma Elizabeth (Ball) Combs, in Crab Orchard, West Virginia. He grew up in the Crab Orchard area and after high school joined the United States Navy and served on the USS Everglades. While on ship, at 19, he determined to surrender his life to Christ and later to the ministry.

Jim enrolled at Welch College (FWBBC) in Nashville, Tennessee, and while there accepted the call of God to a ministry with International Free Will Baptist Missions. In college, Jim met Shirley Alberta Roberts, a preacher’s daughter from Oklahoma who was also a mission’s candidate.  They married and left for Brazil in 1964, and left Brazil from their last residence there in 2008.

This was an especially blessed time in his life as they raised their three Brazilian born children who helped in the ministry. In Brazil he was a church planter, mentor, spiritual shepherd, and friend to many. He was a professor at seminaries, member of the Brazil FWB Field Council and also served as their treasurer and director. He led the Brazilian church to found the Lar Nova Vida Children’s Home, in Araras. In Brazil he used his great love for sports (soccer!), fishing, hunting, and chess to meet folks and make friends. His used his gifts through “Friendship Evangelism.” He loved the people God had given him.

In the United States he served churches in Tennessee, Ohio, and OK. He served at Randall University (Hillsdale), and American Christian College in OK. He was chaplain at Lexington State Prison, in OK. One of his favorite jobs was working with handicapped students on school buses in Franklin, Ohio and in Moore, OK. He was an avid reader and received his Master’s Degree from Tulsa University, in OK. He entertained his friends and family with his spontaneous songs and jokes about every subject. He was also a member of the Moore Community JOY CHOIR.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. William Cecil Combs and Norma Elizabeth (Ball) Combs and three siblings: Sharon R. Combs, John C. Combs, and Mark D. Combs, Sr. Also by his sisters-in-law Charlotte Berry Combs and Lisa Belcher Combs Martin, and his brothers-in-law Donald Ray Basham, and Kenneth L. Bibb.

Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Roberts Combs of the home; and three children:  his son Kemper Jonathan Combs of Moore, Oklahoma. His daughter Cindy Weinette and son-in-law Will Anderson of Moore, OK.; his daughter and son-in-law Tania Marita and Rodrigo Ferreira of OKC; his foster son and wife, Rev. Marco Antonio Pena and wife Claudiana and children. The proud grandfather of six; Jonathan Kemper, Julia Marita, and David William De Aquino of Moore, OK; and Daniel, Bianca, and Isabela Ferreira of Oklahoma City; foster grandchildren, Vitoria, Jesse, Suzana, and Ana Carolina, of Brazil.

His surviving sisters and their spouses are: Nancy and Rev. Ed Cook of Ashland, KY; Betty Basham of Jumping Branch, WV; Norma Bibb of Fredericksburg, TX; Mary and Wayne Sisk of Sophia, WV; and Judy and Rev. Jim Puckett of Norman, OK. He is also survived by six brothers and their spouses:  Billy and Jackie Combs of Seymour, TN; Rev. Bob Combs of Jumping Branch, WV; David Combs of Coal City, WV; Donnie Combs of Rainsville, AL; Greg and Vicki Combs of Donaldsonville, GA; and Scott and Carla Combs of Brandywine, WV. In addition, he has a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Jim K Combs to: Lar Nova Vida Children's Home in Brazil through Kingsview International Missions at 733 NE 18th St, Moore, OK 73160.