Florence Sawyer

Family/Spouse: Allie Bryan Combs. Allie (son of George Murray Combs and Mary Lula Bryan) was born in cir 1890; died on 6 Feb 1981 in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Betty ?. Betty was born in cir 1914. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 2012, Hampstead, Pender County, North Carolina, USA

Family/Spouse: Julia ?. Julia was born in cir 1915. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary:
Mrs. Virginia Combs Dobbs, 88, of 1814 Barnell Avenue, Raleigh, died Monday, Oct. 24, 2005, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Va. She was born March 8, 1917, in Bryson City, to the late Allie Bryan and Florence Sawyer Combs. Mrs. Dobbs was a graduate of Broughton High School and Meredith College in Raleigh and received a master’s degree in Library Science from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She was a retired librarian from the Wake County School System and a member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh. She was a member of the D.A.R., a champion bridge player and a lover of books and history. Survivors include her husband, Oscar Thomas “Tommy” Dobbs; two daughters, Vicki Dalia and husband, Joedy, of Whitetop, Va. and Lianne Mattar and husband, Ric, of Blowing Rock; one son, John Dobbs of Greensboro; and two step-sons, Tommy Dobbs and wife, Diane, of California and Charles Dobbs and wife of Mobile, Ala.; one sister, Louise Wall and husband, Harold, of Raleigh; and one brother, Edwin Combs and wife, Julia, of Hampstead. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Bryan Dobbs; and a brother, Bryan Combs. Services were conducted this morning (Friday) at 10 a.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Dr. Wayne Brown. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock. A memorial service will be held in Raleigh at a time and place to be announced later. Memorial contributions may be made to a library of the donor’s choice or a book may be given to Appalachian Brian Estates in Boone in her memory. Online condolences may be made at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Family/Spouse: Oscar Thomas Dobbs. Oscar was born in cir 1915. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 2005, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

Obituary:
Born in Elizabeth City, NC on October 11th, 1919 to Allie Bryan Combs and Florence Sawyer Combs. When Louise was 8 years old the family moved to Raleigh, where her Father, A.B. Combs, became Associate Superintendent of the North Carolina Schools with the State Department of Instruction. The family settled down on the Circle in Hayes Barton where Louise attended Hayes Barton Elementary School and Broughton High School.

Louise followed her Mother, 3 Aunts and Sister in graduating from Meredith College. The summer before her senior year she helped organize and direct a summer school for pre-school children at Halifax Court in Raleigh. Many of the children had never held a crayon or been read a book. Louise knew then she needed to follow her Father into education. She received her Masters in Education at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Like her Father, Louise loved working with children and opening doors to the knowledge that awaited them. Also, she was much like her Father in her gentle, caring ways. She was very proud when her Father, after 50 years of helping children in NC, was honored by the naming of A.B. Combs Elementary School. Louise and her sister, Virginia, enjoyed visiting A.B. Combs School and seeing all the recognition the school has achieved.

Louise began her teaching career in September, 1941 in Knightdale, NC – living with the single teachers at the Teacherage. While there, she met the love of her life – Harold Blair Wall. Louise went to Harold’s father’s drugstore for ice cream and that night Harold went home and told his family he had met the girl he was going to marry. Prior to his deployment to WWII, he dated Louise every night.

In 1944, Louise moved to Wiley Elementary in the Raleigh Public School System. She then helped open Longview Garden Elementary School and became Principal in 1953. In 1968, Louise opened Helen Y Stough Elementary School as Principal. In 1981, she retired after 40 years in Wake County Education.

When she became Principal she missed her classroom – so, to feel closer to the children she learned every child’s name, every year. She enjoyed working with the parents and in return they were very supportive. As late as the age of 88, she would run into students or parents from long ago and know their name.

Louise and Harold were married at Hayes Barton Baptist Church on December 8, 1945 by Dr. Carol Townsend. They had an amazing marriage. They had many friends and enjoyed life. In the 60s they had a houseful of families all the time – kids pling, women in the kitchen, men watching football. They loved to dance and belonged to a square dance group, Civitan Club and Shrine Club, where they never missed a dance. In the 70s they had lots of parties and couples over to dance in the decked out NCSU basement of their home in Brookhaven. They were known for their pot luck dinners and watching the Wolf pack. Louise and Harold rarely missed an NCSU football or basketball game and going to the games brought them great joy! Harold and Louise traveled with friends to ACC and Bowl Games for NCSU. For 10 years they attended the Sugarbowl. For 20 years they enjoyed a place at Atlantic Beach and had friends from all over North Carolina that gathered for Shrimp-a-roos!

Louise’s teachers were a great source of pride and joy. She sang their praises countless times. Since her 1981 retirement, the teachers have had a birthday celebration for her every year. On her 80th birthday over 100 former teachers joinedr to celebrate! Louise loved her teachers and they have been very devoted to her as time has gone by. The family appreciates the love, kindness and attention they have shown her. Every year they give books to the Louise C. Wall Media Center at Stough School in her honor. Her last visit to Stough was in May of 2010. The children ran to her wheelchair and she would ask each one their name and which books they were reading. A longtime former Stough employee said, “Mrs. Wall is and always was a Principal to the children”.

Through the years she has been active in Hayes Barton Baptist Church, attending since the age of 8. Attending church was a big part of her life. She was a strong Christian and led her life exhibiting her faith daily. Harold and Louise helped organize the Townsend Sunday School class, the first couple’s class in a local Baptist Church. The class is like no other, they have remained strong giving love, support and prayer to one another. Louise had many friends and many special times with these members.

Louise was a member of NEA, NC State Education Association every year since 1941. She was very active in the early years. Louise belonged to Caswell Nash Daughters of the American Revolution, The Raleigh Woman’s Club, the HBBC Townsend Sunday School Bridge Club and a Book Club with former teachers.

Louise was a sweet, loving southern lady who never wanted to say an unkind word about anyone. She was so gentle and her beautiful smile, even at the end of her life, would light up a room. She was loved by many and was a wonderful wife, mothrnd friend!

Louise is survived by her husband, Harold Blair Wall, Brother, Edwin Combs (Hampstead), Daughters, Elizabeth Wall Linker and Barry Liner (Salisbury), Blair Wall Smallman and Stephen C. Smallman (Raleigh). Grandchildren, Christopher Blair Wall, Jennifer Paige Wall and Angel Marie Smallman. Great Grandson, Hunter Blair Wall. Nieces and Nephews Lianne Dobbs Matar (Blowing Rock), Victoria Dobbs Dahlia (Whitetop, Va.), Diana Wall (Fort. Collins, Co), Ann Wall (Raleigh), Larry Combs (Winston Salem), Judy Combs Somers (Topsail Beach), Nancy Combs Hall(Monroe), Cathy Rodenberg Berkowitz (Raleigh), Lynne Wall Rodenberg Golliher (Accord, NY), Joyce Marie Wall (Knightdale ) Louise had many important great nieces and nephews that she enjoyed their visits. Kathleen Stephenson, who took care of the home and family for 45 years to make it possible for Louise to be a school Principal. Loving caregivers does not even begin to describe the amazing love and care the following angels on this earth gave to Louise. Kathleen, Betty Lou, Clem, Cynthia, Ashley, Robert, Wanda, Gail and Joe are the best!

Preceding Louise were her parents: Allie Bryan and Florence Combs, brother, Bryan Combs, Jr. (Brevard), and sister, Virginia Combs Dobbs (Raleigh).

The family would like to thank Pat the super nurse, Eric and Bryan with Heartland Hospice for the excellent care and love these last months of her life. In addition, they would like to thank the caring Rex Hospital Doctors and Nurses on Louise’s many visits to the hospital. Also, her regular Doctors who took excellent care of her for many years especially Dr. Mohit Pasi, Dr. Robert Gaddy (retired), Dr. Todd Helton, and Dr. Naveen Narahari.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to your choice of the following:

Louise Combs Wall Media Center, Stough Elementary School, 4210 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27612. Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27608. Heartland Hospice, 3200 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh, NC 27604.

The service will be held on Monday January 16, 2012 at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh. Visitation will be at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in the church parlor from 12:30 to 1:45. The funeral service will be held at 2pm. Burial directly following the service at Montlawn.

Florence married Harold Blair Wall on 8 Dec 1945 in Hayes Barton Baptist Church, Hayes Barton, Wake County, North Carolina, USA. Harold was born in cir 1915. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]