Sunday, June 15, 2008


Buck Herald Cemetery


The final resting place for JWB Combs, Elizabeth"Lizzie"Moris~Combs(Short)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

James Nelson Fields



Cathy's Grandfather and Great Grandfather were James Nelson Fields
From Harlan, Clay & Jackson county Kentucky

Builders of Destiny

Builders of Destiny
by Jesse Stuart
They lie, our pioneers, where highways run.They lie where railroads go and cities stand.Their brittle bones have been exposed to sunAnd wind. Their bones are restless in this land.What does it matter if their bones do lieBeneath the turning wheels where millions pass,Builders and dreamers born to live and dieLike white plum petals on the April grass?What does it matter if their bones turn stone, Their flesh be richer dust our plowshares turn,Builders who made America our own, Whose blood has fed the roots of grass and fern?Dreamers and builders of our destiny, They left their epitaph for all to read;A land of dream and wealth and energy,A land where freedom is the greatest greed.
June 14, 2008

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

William "Buck" and Sallie (Herald) Combs

One of my latest discoveries are of my Great Grandpa JWB (Jehue's) Combs parents. I have discovered their names.but unfortunately I do not have anything other information.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Farming and Coal mining

GrandPa and Grandma Combs











My family from the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky were farmers and coalminers. They were a hardy bunch that worked by the sweat of their brow, and the strenght of their back. Grandpa Combs was farmer until he came to N Ky. to find work in the steelmill in Newport. But the hills of Kentucky were in his blood, and he and grandma bought land for a farm on Elsome Creek. They would plow the fields with mules, and clear with cycle and blade.


Grandpa Hall was a farmer,and coal miner. He owned over 400 acres on Mill Creek, and the old homestead was off Hall's Branch. From family history he was killed in coal mine just up the hill from our old Hall homestead in November in 1941.












This is the old Hall's place.

Since coal and grain runs thru my veins,it could explain my love for this place. In a world where things are so crazy some times. I long for the peace that this place brings. I am beginning to understand why others that have roots in this soil return again and again. Even with its rugginess there is also such a peace. By looking around it is not about having more than the Jones, but a sense of your neighbor is family, and probably is. These mountains are from a simplier times, and it is a place time has almost forgot.

Grandpa Shepherd

Unknown location, He served during WWI

More of Combs farm






More of Combs farm






Combs farm~off of Elsome Creek Road






Thursday, June 5, 2008

The Combsie clan


Dad's siblings all together. This must have been around 1968-70. Uncle Lew must have been home on leave. He was in the Marines during that time frame. Things have changed since then. A brother (JB)and a sister(Pearle) have passed away.
Lew,Pearlie,J.B.,Jalie,William(Dad),Clyde,Liz

You're in the Army Now!



This is Dad when he was in the Army. He bused from Fort Thomas Kentucky to Fort Knox. He then went on to serve at Ft. Hood Texas. He entered in 1955 and served until 1957. He was a part of the 3rd Armour Division.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Orchard Terrace Church of God


This is the church the Highland Hts church built in 1978 and 79. Dad was a large part of building this. He actually had a bad accident doing so. He had been knocked of a 12' scaffold by a mortar drill, and feel and broke two vertebrae. At the time, the doctors said Dad probably would have to wear a brace for the rest of his life. He over time did away with brace, and you would never know that anything happened. And over time, God has seen that Dad has returned to be there pastor. Mom and Dad have put there heart and soul into the congregation, and he has blessed them over the years.

Highland Heights Church of God~Cleveland Assembly
















From 1966 or 67 our family started to attended a little church in Highland Hts.,Ky. We became one of the mainstay families thru the years. Alot of my Mom and Dad time and money were spent there. You could always find us there Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, Saturday night, and any time there was a revival or any other time the doors were open.
It has changed very little, On the way home from work last night I took a little side trip, and I was amazed how little that whole neighborhood has stayed the same.
Dad helped with Bro.Edison Buchanan(pastor), and Gene Chipman put on the rear addition. They also built the parnish down the hill.

Coming to Northern Kentucky



The year was 1940, and Dad was 4yrs old. Grandpa had found work at the Newport Steel Mill. So it was time to transplant himself and the family to where the work was going to be. And there were a couple of way to travel from the hills of Eastern Appalachia. One was by automobile or one was by train. As a little boy it would have been an adventure and thrill to ride a passenger train to a new location. They traveled from Jackson to Covington. The Covington station was still being used to load and off load passengers. The building was restored in recent years, and now is used an attorney's office.

William and Patrica Combs



Married 48years on the 23rd of July. Here Mom and Dad stand in front of Grandma Combs house on 7th Street in Newport Ky. Check out that ride, Dad's old '54 Mercury convertible.