Promoted to Glory: Lt. Colonel Beatrice Combs
Lt. Colonel Beatrice Combs was Promoted to Glory from Valdosta, GA on April 21, 2024, at the age of 97.
Beatrice Combs was born on August 27, 1926, to parents Robert & Hazel Combs, in Hazard, KY.
Nurtured by a devout Christian family influenced by Methodist, Baptist, and United Brethren teaching, she gave her heart to God at the age of six and committed her life to His leading at the age of 12. Her devotion to the service of others began early in life.
In her early teens she became aware of The Salvation Army, and before her 19th birthday in 1945 she was commissioned in Atlanta as part of the Fearless session of cadets. She served as corps assistant in Paducah and Louisville, KY, and as youth officer in Johnson City, TN, where she encouraged her people to “be, do and look their very best because Jesus and the Army deserve no less.” In 1949, she was transferred to work within what was then called the Women’s Social. After three years as bookkeeper and activities director at the Home and Hospital in Birmingham, AL, Captain Combs was given an education appointment for nurse training at Georgia Baptist Hospital. Following graduation, she served as a registered nurse at the Homes and Hospitals in Louisville, KY and Richmond, VA.
In 1963, Major Combs was appointed as women's social service secretary for the Southern Territory. Administratively responsible for seven maternity homes and hospitals and a large day care center, as well as consulting for other social services for women and children, she routinely focused on upgrading quality, effectiveness, and image for The Salvation Army and its social programs.
Following the closing of the Women's Social Service Department in each of the four USA territories, Lt. Colonel Combs was given an education appointment to obtain a master's degree in social work at the University of Georgia. She was then appointed as social services secretary for the Southern Territory. In the following four years, organization, staff development, rehousing, quality assurance, and government contracts again consumed her energies as she encouraged balance between the Army's Christian, social, and ethical responsibilities, as well as mitigating legal and financial risks.
Colonel Combs also served as the Army's representative to the Protestant Health and Human Services Assembly, National Interfaith Coalition of Aging, National Council on Aging, Council on Social Work Education, National Assembly task forces, Robert Wood Foundation, and the U.N. Committee on Aging and Church World Service.
She then served at National Headquarters as National Consultant in Social Services, where she was the Army’s representative to a myriad of commissions and organizations, retiring from that post after a total of 45 years of active officership. She continued to stay active even after retirement.
She leaves an incredible legacy through the Army’s social services and will be fondly remembered by many.
Lt. Colonel Beatrice Combs is survived by her sister, Christine Elkins; niece, Cherre (Richard) Terry; nephews Glenn (Jan), Bobby (Angie), and Billy (Virginia) Gilbert; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Friday, April 26, 2024, at the McLane Funeral Home in Valdosta, GA—followed by interment.