Fred Ernest Combs
Fred Ernest Combs, 86, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend passed away very unexpectedly in Hixson, Tennessee, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
Ernest was born to Wallace and Emma Combs in Red Bank, on Dec. 29, 1937. Ernest graduated from Kirkman Vocational School in 1955 and worked at Combustion Engineering before starting Combs Electric with his brother Clyde Combs in 1973. Ernest and Clyde successfully operated Combs Electric for 30 years and served hundreds of homes and businesses in the Chattanooga area. Ernest was a U.S. Army veteran.
Ernest met his wife Emma Lena Haddock of Cohutta, Ga., and married in 1960. They built a home in Red Bank, and welcomed a daughter Connie Anne in 1965 and a son Fred Ernest Jr “Freddie” in 1973. Together the family built a wonderful and loving home with Ernest and Emma celebrating their 64th Anniversary this year. Ernest and Emma both loved to travel, attend craft shows and spend time with friends and family.
Ernest and Emma joined Hixson First Baptist Church in 1967 where they both were very involved. Ernest served as a Deacon on the church board and as the Chairman of the Church Buildings and Grounds for many years. Fellow church attendees always expected to see Ernests big smile and warm inviting persona at church functions and Sunday service. Ernest was a mainstay at the church’s fish fry’s, wild game dinners and all other functions.
Through the years Ernest loved the outdoors and his sports teams. He went on many fishing trips locally and throughout the Southeast with friends and family and spent countless hours hunting the surrounding states for whitetail deer. He especially cherished the last 10 years on a deer lease with his son Freddie where they were very successful, but mainly got to spend father and son time together. Ernest was a huge TN Vols fan and Atlanta Braves fan, but his love of all sports would find him at any time of the day watching various other sports being played.
Ernest was very intelligent and could build anything. If you had a question on how to build or repair something and went to Ernest for help, whatever he told you to do was the way to do it! Ernest was the original “measure twice, cut once” kind of man. Ernest was very down to earth and humble and would give anyone help that truly needed it. Ernest loved children and routinely called them “little buddies”. Kids always migrated to him with that kind smile and warm demeanor. Ernest doted on the women in his life Emma and Connie. Neither could do any wrong in his eyes and both held his heart in their hands.
Ernest is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Emma Lena Combs; daughter, Connie Westberry and son in law Bobby; son, Freddie Combs and daughter in law, Annette; grandchildren, Austin Combs, Abigail Long, Jade Livingston, Emma Mae Combs; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Daniel and Gracie. numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Ernest was predeceased by his parents, Wallace and Emma Combs; brothers, Thomas and Clyde; and sisters, Thelma and Helen.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, with the Rev. Steven Granger officiating in the chapel of Hamilton Funeral Home. Family will receive friends on Sunday from 12 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes for any donations to be made to Hixson First Baptist Church in Ernest’s name.
Please share your memories of Ernest with the family at www.hamiltonfhofchattanooga.com
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37343.