More detail on this person: Horace Eugene "Gene" Combs, Jr. Obituary Memorial Graveside services for Horace Eugene "Gene" Combs, Jr., age 79, who passed away on Wednesday, March 27, will be held on Saturday, March 30, at New Palestine Cemetery. Visitation will be at graveside starting at 11:00 am with service to follow at 12:00 pm. Dr. Tony Lambert will officiate. A native of Picayune, MS, Gene was a member of First Baptist Church of Picayune. He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace Eugene Combs and Emily Woodson Combs. Left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 51 years, Kay Smith Combs, his son Trey Combs (Crystal), and his daughter Jenny Green (Justin). He was also "Sir" to his five grandsons, Aidan and Wyatt Combs, and Brennen, Maddox, and Rheddic Green. His sister, Janet Brunson, also survived him along with a loving extended family. Although born in Picayune, Gene lived all over the world as an Army brat. He attended the Air Force Academy, but joined the Army to become a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. While serving his country, he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. He returned to Picayune to follow a career both as a helicopter and jet pilot and later started his own company as a restaurant franchise site selector. Gene lived life "big" and never ever "made a long story short." A special thanks to the third floor staff at Highland Hospital as well as the staff at Bedford.
Burial information: New Palestine Cemetery.
This information was last updated 01/25/2026
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Date posted on this site: 02/07/2026
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