Barbara Joy Combs, 78, of Wichita, died Saturday, November 16, 2024 at the Westview of Derby Health Care Center in Derby, Kansas.

She was born on October 30, 1946 in Parsons, Kansas, the daughter of Charles Augustus and Pearl Elizabeth Hubbard Miller. Barbara was raised in the Parsons and Neodesha area, graduating from Neodesha High School.

She married James Paul Combs on November 24, 1968 in Neodesha. They moved  to Wichita and later Dallas, Texas. Jim died on January 10,1970 in an automobile accident. Barbara returned to Wichita shortly after.

She had been a Civil Rights Investigator for the State of Kansas for over 20 years. Barbara loved to read and enjoyed watching Sci-Fi movies, especially Star Wars and The Matrix, along with doing crossword puzzles.

Survivors include her daughter Jayne Leedy of Mulvane, KS; son Brent Stephens of Kansas City, Mo.; sister Penny Marshall; grandchildren Miranda Osborn, Emily Leedy, Emery Leedy, Michael Stephens, Kyle Stephens and Maddie Bayer; and six great grandchildren.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, and sister Nancy Gardiner.

The family will be planning Barbara's celebration of life later.

Arrangements are by Affordable Cremations Plus, Wichita, Ks.