Patsy Ruth Combs

Patsy Ruth (Cathey) Combs, 76, of Abilene, passed away Sunday, March 4, 2012 at a local hospital. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the funeral home. Palmer McCown will officiate. Graveside services will be at 1:00 pm on Friday at the Midlothian Cemetery in Midlothian, Texas. Pat was born November 30, 1935 in Granger, Texas to James Marion Cathey and Charlie (Robertson) Cathey. She graduated from Midlothian High School in 1954. Pat married Bill Combs on November 10, 1953. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Abilene Restaurant Association, Abilene Women's Auxiliary, and the John Davis Chapter of Daughters of American Revolution. Pat was an avid bridge player. She played 3 to 4 times a week and was a member of the Tuesday Twos Bridge Club as well as the Wednesday Morning Bridge Club. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, currently Delta Phi Master Chapter, for over 40 years. Pat was a devoted friend to her sorority sisters of Beta Sigma Phi. Pat worked as office manager for Hobart Sales & Service of Abilene from 1965 to 1990, which she co-owned with her husband Bill. She loved spending time with family and friends, but her favorite role was that of grandmother to her two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, James Cathey, Donald Cathey; a sister-in-law, Fay Cathey; and one brother-in-law, James Hosford. Pat is survived by her husband, Bill Combs of Abilene; her daughter, Lisa Tiller and husband Ray of Longview; two sisters, Evelyn Hosford of The Woodlands, Nancy Bowen and husband Jerry of Plano; a sister-in-law, Gladys Cathey of Garland; and two grandchildren, Randy Tiller of Houston and Kiley Tiller of Longview. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Tiller, Randy Tiller, Kiley Tiller, Terry Merck, Joe Brent Mahanay and Conner Merck. Memorials may be sent in honor of Pat to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, Texas 79604.