Marilyn Elizabeth Price Combs

Marilyn Elizabeth Price Combs, passed from this earthly life at her home in Beverly on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.  Marilyn, daughter of Jesse and Nellie (Bartlett) Price (Price's Pharmacy), was born July 12,1932 and was the fifth generation of her family to call the Beverly area home.  

The love of Marilyn's life was Don E Combs, her devoted husband with whom she shared values of hard work, church and community involvement along with the adventure of raising four rambunctious children.  Don's humor and patience comforted her through everything.  Marilyn and Don were both active members of the Beverly Presbyterian Church including Marilyn researching and publishing the church's extensive history for its Bicentennial celebration in 2004.

Marilyn graduated from Beverly High School in 1950, and received a bachelor's degree in 1954 from The College of Wooster, majoring in history.  Decades later, she returned to formal academics and earned a master's degree in reading supervision and education. Informally, she enjoyed many education-related endeavors including Learning in Retirement courses offered through Marietta College and studied area-specific topics including the history of cemeteries, churches, the Beverly Library and the Underground Railroad.

Marilyn's life-long interest in learning contributed to her passion for teaching.  In 1959 Marilyn began her teaching career at Lowell Elementary in the Fort Frye School District, primarily teaching first and second grades. After taking a few years off to raise her young children, Marilyn returned to teaching in 1967 in an experimental Title III reading program at Warren High School, then later focused on Title 1 reading at Center (Hackney), Lower Salem and Beverly Elementary Schools, eventually returning to Lowell to once again enjoy teaching first and second grades.  After retirement from Fort Frye in 2000, Marilyn performed student reading assessments throughout Washington County.

Evidence of Marilyn's passion for learning was demonstrated in her leisure pursuits.  She took more than a little teasing from friends and family when her "just for fun reading" included college-level history textbooks, and organizing family vacations that her children jokingly refer to as "field trips".  Marilyn contributed her time and energy to several areas of the community including the Lyman Pomeroy Beverly Public Library, Fort Frye PTO and Cub Scouts. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma (teaching) Society and The Lower Muskingum Valley Historical Society. 

In addition to being an enthusiastic life-long learner and teacher, Marilyn was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. 

Marilyn's surviving family includes daughter, Susan (Greg) Lang, sons Mike (Jane) Combs, Jim (Nancy) Combs and John (Autumn) Combs, grandchildren, Brittany Lang (John) Bongga, Hannah, Emily and Beth Combs, Hunter (Maeve) Willett, and Mikhail Bady.  Her great grandchildren are Harper and Owen Willett, and Olivia and Noah Bongga.  In addition, Marilyn is survived by her sister Joellyn (Bob) Leget, chosen family Gertie Stilts, and numerous extended family members and friends. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents, and several close family members and friends.

Marilyn's family is grateful to: special family friend, Susan Jenkins White, RN; the compassionate team that took exceptional care of Marilyn in her home the past few years; and Marietta Amedisys Home Health & Hospice for their services. 

Visitation will be held at McCurdy Funeral Home on Sunday, November 13th from 2 to 6pm.  A celebration of life will be held at the Beverly Presbyterian Church, 200 4th Street, Beverly on Monday, November 14th at 10:30am.  Visitation will be available at the church prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged to be made in Marilyn's memory to the Beverly Friends of the Library, (address BFOL c/o 683 Maple Grove Rd., Waterford, OH 45786), the Beverly-Waterford Rescue Squad (PO Box 45 Beverly, OH 45786) or any area education funds or other community area of need. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.mccurdyfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marilyn Elizabeth Price Combs, please visit our floral store.