It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sweet Tamorah "Tammy" Kaye Combs, 64, of Alexandria, Va., born to Richard Lee and Eleanor Kaye Deyerle Combs on September 30, 1961. Tammy suddenly became ill on Monday, January 26, 2026, the one year anniversary of our mother passing. She went to the hospital then left us to be with our Lord on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. We believe that Mom just needed Tammy as much as Tammy needed Mom. This is no coincidence. They were inseparable for Tammy's entire life. Tammy was hit by a car at the young age of 3 and suffered severe brain damage which left her mentally impaired and physically handicapped for the rest of her life. Mom fought tirelessly for the rights of special needs children to go to public schools and be included in everyday life. She even fought to get a special handicapped car tag for preferential parking that would allow Tammy to attend all the youth sporting events that our family was so involved in. At that time, handicapped parking spaces did not exist. Tammy was raised by our parents to be included in as much as possible so she could live a "normal" life. That was a time when the medical "professionals" advised parents to institutionalize their special needs children and "go have more children." They thought these special children would be a burden, but my parents did not go along with that thinking. They kept Tammy at home and raised her like they raised me, her younger sister and only sibling.

So many people benefited from knowing Tammy, or "Tam Tam", as many called her. Tammy was funny, social and made everyone feel welcome. She would make you laugh out loud and she had a memory like no other. She loved music and cheerleading. She never forgot a name, she could sing almost any song, and she loved to dance. Tammy was a gift to all who knew her. God does not make mistakes and his plan for Tammy was to teach all of us the importance of kindness, compassion, and humanity. Everyone touched by Tammy shares a memory that has enhanced our lives, made us better humans, taught us to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves, and fight for the rights of ALL children. Tammy never knew that SHE was actually teaching us and this was God's plan.

Left to honor her life are her father, Richard "Dickie" Combs, originally of Salem, Va.; sister, Kimberley Lee Schmidt (Scott); nephews, Bradley Alan Schmidt (Emma) and Michael Lee Schmidt (Danielle); and niece Kaylee Marie Schmidt (Thomas). She is also survived by extended family including uncle, Jeff Coleman (Carol); aunts, Margaret "Peggy" Deyerle Parr and Lillie Combs; cousins, Stacey D. Rodgers (Mike), David Parr (Lydia), Donald Parr (Sue), Jeb Coleman (Caehlin), Eric Coleman (Leslie), Sue Jennings Weller (Bob), David Barrett (Jeanne), Christy Frantz (Aubrey), Yancey Cobb, John Cobb, Bonnie Cobb, and several other extended Combs and Deyerle family members.

Tamorah was preceded in death by her mother, Eleanor Kaye Combs of Roanoke, Va.; grandparents, Dorothy Deyerle Coleman and Wayne Coleman, grandparents, Katherine "Kate" Thomas Combs and Ellis Combs; grandfather, Elmer "Shorty" Norris Deyerle; great grandparents, Lillie Jeffries and Howard Jeffries; great aunt, Doris Jeffries Jennings; uncle, Norris Deyerle; aunt, Stella Combs; uncle, Ellis "Whitey" Combs; aunt, Jean Combs Cochran; aunt, Brenda Combs; uncle, Sidney Combs; uncle; Harvey Combs; and cousin, Sandra Combs Meggs.

A visitation will be open to family and friends on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., in the Lower Parlor of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. A graveside service will take place Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem, with Pastor Don Woodard officiating.

Flowers are welcome; however, memorial donations may also be made to Camp Easterseals, Special Olympics Organization, or the March of Dimes Organization.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.