Dr. Combs dedicated her life to public service at the local, state and federal levels, receiving five executive appointments under three presidents including Controller of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Treasury, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation.
Her last public position as only the sixth State Controller in the modern era was and is one of the most important jobs in state government. Dr. Combs always advocated for the invisible, including during her service on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth Board of Education, as an education advisor to Gov. James Martin, and through administrative and board positions at Appalachian State University Foundation, Wake Forest University and Gardner-Webb University.
She was a woman of varied interests, including music. She was owner, with her husband Dave, of Combs Music Company, an independent record company and music catalog in Winston-Salem.
During tense and volatile times Dr. Combs was the calm one in the room. I mourn her loss not only as a professional but as a fellow Winstonian.
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