Florence Louise Combs

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 plying, 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 joined hr 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, mothr and 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]

1. Living
2. Living

Allie + Florence Sawyer. Florence was born on 10 Aug 1881; died on 28 Feb 1985 in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George + Mary Lula Bryan. Mary (daughter of Augustus Grogan Bryan and Hettie Ann Williams) was born on 29 Feb 1872 in Georgia, USA; died on 11 Dec 1944. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes from C. Ray Bryan, Jr: "When the war came in 1861, A.G. Bryan was too young to go; but Asa L. Bryan and Cicero C. Bryan, his older half-brothers, served the cause. After Union raiders plundered the farm and drove off the stock, "Gus," as he was called, was the man who raised a garden using one crippled ox, the only stock that was left. His mother was in LaFayette buying supplies when the Union army threw a picket around the town. She was allowed to return to the farm only on the condition that she execute an oath of allegiance to the Federal Union and swear not to give aid to the Confederate Cause. In later years, Gus remembered that sad day as the day his mother "became an old woman." In 1870 A.G. Bryan married Hettie Ann Williams, the daughter of Jeremiah J. Williams and Phoebe Ann Lowery Williams. In 1881, A.G. Bryan married Margaret Ella Talley, the daughter of Henry Webb Talley and Elizabeth Jane Meredith. Henry Webb Talley, a pioneer settler of Walker County, like his father Henry Hubbard Talley was a shoemaker. During the battle of LaFayette the Talley house, which was near the center of town, came under musket fire; the children were sheltered by their mother in a large fireplace and later took refuge in a windowless brick smoke house. In 1881, the Talley shoe shop did a good business with A.G. Bryan during the period Gus was courting Ella, it was reported. A family story states that Ella, while a girl, had been a student in a school taught by her future husband. In his second family, the children were Pearl Lucille born in 1884 and died in 1886, Clarence Ray born Nov 21, 1887, and Mildred, born June 16, 1894. The first children were born in Trion, Georgia, where A.G. was employed by the Allgoods as a cotton buyer. There followed several years as a truck farmer in Florida, where Mildred was born, growing winter vegetables for shipment. Then the family moved to Harriman and he ran a lumber mill. He then served for several years as the representative of International Harvest covering an area in three states. He and a partner founded the Hamilton County Buggy and Implement Company on Main Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which was his business for a number of years. During this period he was active in his church, Free Masonry, Democratic politics and civic affairs. He had many personal friends and innumerable stories with which to regale them. Any was welcomed to his home and table. A mild paralytic stroke forced him to reduce his physical activity. He sold his business interest in farm implements and bought an interest in the Hamilton County Herald where he served as editor, which gave him an outlet for his political opinions and his Irish wit. A later stroke forced retirement. He died on July 21, 1926."

Augustus married Hettie Ann Williams on 11 Dec 1870 in Walker County, Georgia, USA. Hettie (daughter of Jeremiah J. Williams and Phoebe Ann Lowery) died in 1874. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Height: 6'1"
• Census: 25 Sep 1850, Chatooga Valley, Walker County, Georgia, USA
• Census: 13 Jun 1860, Wilson's District, Walker County, Georgia, USA
• Census: 21 Jul 1870, Subdivision 145, Walker County, Georgia, USA

Notes:

Thomas Bryan served as a private in Captain Jack Waters' company, Colonel Booth's regiment (4th), General McIntosh's brigade, of the Georgia militia during the War of 1812. His service was mostly at Mobile, Alabama, and at Fort Hawkins, Georgia. He served from 21 Nov 1814 until 6 May 1815. He later served in Captain Samuel Faris' company of Georgia Mounted Volunteers and was "in the removal of the Creek Indians beyond the Mississippi River." This service was for three months, beginning in August of 1836. Thomas Bryan lived in Habersham County until 1832, when he moved to Walker County. In her application for a pension, Thomasine Grogan Bryan describes Thomas Bryan as being 6'1", with dark hair, blue eyes, and a dark complexion. An unidentified source states that Thomas's middle name was Richard.

Buried:
Directions to Bryan Cemetery from the town of Lafayette:
1. Starting in front of the Cherokee Regional Library on Duke Street North 912 feet
2. to Right on E Villanow Street 1.09 Miles
3. to Right on Corinth Road 2.57 Miles
4. to Left on Corinth Road 1.82 Miles
5. to Right on Hwy GA 151 992 feet
6. to Arrive at Bryan Cemetery

Thomas married Thomasine Grogan on 8 Aug 1847 in Elbert County, Georgia, USA. Thomasine (daughter of Thomas Grogan and Elizabeth Blackwell) was born on 23 Mar 1824 in Spartanburg District, South Carolina, USA; died on 16 Sep 1910 in LaFayette, Walker County, Georgia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 21 Jul 1870, Subdivision 145, Walker County, Georgia, USA

Notes:

Thomasine Grogan Bryan was living at Cain Creek, Walker County, Georgia, at the time of the 1880 census.

Jeremiah + Phoebe Ann Lowery. Phoebe was born in cir 1825. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Thomas Bryan was apparently a Revolutionary War soldier. He participated in the Georgia land lotteries in the early 1800s. According to the book "Information on Some Georgia Pensioners," his wife may have been a Bennett. Thomas Bryan appears in the following records:
1790 - Elbert County, Georgia, tax digest
1790 - Elbert County, Georgia, census, Captain William Black's district
9 February 1791 - Name on a petition to the Governor from residents of Elbert County seeking a stay of execution for James Meredith who has a wife and four children who are in distress
1792 - Franklin County, Georgia, grantee
1792 - Elbert County, Georgia, land court sessions - mentions "self and four in family"
1797 - Elbert County, Georgia, land grant
1797 - John Baker Bennett of Richmond County, Georgia, sold land to "Thomas Bryan, father and first friend of Bennett Bryan"
1811 - witness in estate record of James Chandler of Franklin County, Georgia
1820 - Elbert County, Georgia, census (also in the county were Moses and John Bryan)
1822 - witnessed deed in Franklin County, Georgia
1825 - witnessed deed in Franklin County, Georgia
1835 - received land in lottery
1835 - purchased land from James Mann in Walker County, Georgia - Lot 256, District 12, Section 3

Thomas + unknown. unknown was born in cir 1755. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Thomas and Elizabeth Blackwell Grogan were members of the Wolf's Creek Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Being a minister, Thomas was often called to be the pastor of the church. Thomas and Elizabeth applied for letters of dismissal on 17 December 1836, probably in anticipation of their move to Georgia. They were in Walker County, Georgia, at the time of the 1850 census. In 1866, Thomas Grogan was living in Clay County, Alabama. According to the 1880 census record of Thomasine Grogan Bryan, Thomas Grogan was born in Virginia and Elizabeth Blackwell was born in North Carolina. This is probably the Thomas Grogan, Esquire, listed in the 1830 Spartanburg District, South Carolina, census. In the household were two males under age 5, two females age 5-10, one female age 10-15, two males age 10-15, one male age 15-20, one male age 20-30, one male age 40-50, and one female age 40-50.

Thomas + Elizabeth Blackwell. Elizabeth (daughter of John Blackwell and Susannah Glenn) was born in cir 1790. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]