Carolyn L. Combes

Carolyn Louise Combes passed away on May 23, 2022, at Gilchrist Hospice in Towson Maryland while surrounded by her loving family.

Carolyn was born on April 17, 1943 to the late LaVern and Adelia Loretz in Auburn, New York. She grew up in New York State, the oldest of 6 children. She graduated from Faytteville-Manlius high school in 1961 and went on to complete a study in bookkeeping at Powelson Business Institute in 1962. She met the love of her life, Jerry Combes, on November 3, 1968. They married on August 9, 1969 and she quickly settled into the life of a military spouse. They welcomed a son in September of 1974 and a daughter in September of 1980.

During Jerry’s time in the Air Force, they discovered their love of traveling and began traveling all over Europe. Once back in the United States they continued traveling via RV. When Jerry retired from the Air Force they settled into their home in Severn Maryland, where they spent another 31 blessed years together. She worked part-time as an accountant/bookkeeper while raising their 2 children. Those who knew her know how much she loved to work on her doll houses, some of which she entered into the Anne Arundel County Fair where she won several ribbons. Carolyn attended many churches during her lifetime, the most recent being Chapel Next on Fort Meade, Maryland, where she spent many years worshipping and volunteering.

Carolyn is survived by her loving husband Jerry, son James Combes (Stephanie), daughter Michelle Dosh (Michael), sister Virginia Hittenrauch (Fred), brothers LaVern Loretz Jr., Duane Loretz (Eileen), David Paul Loretz, and her brother-in-law David Lincoln. She will also be deeply missed by her 8 grandchildren David Combes, Melanie Combes, Rebecca Willey, Ricky Parker, Heather Willey, Cody Goodman, Sammie Goodman, and Sarah Dosh. Many cousins, nieces, nephews, and her beloved friends will also miss her dearly. Carolyn was preceded in death by her father, her mother, her sister Gloria Lincoln, and her granddaughter Chelsea Combes.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in her name to Samaritan’s Purse OR

 to PWOC at:

Fort Meade RSO - Main Post Chapel, Attn: Funds Clerk, 4419 Llewellyn Ave., Fort Meade, MD  20755 *Please make check payable to CTOF (Chapel Tithes & Offerings Fund) *Write PWOC/Combes Memorial on the memo line

A live stream of the service will be available on the day of the memorial by clicking HERE