Blanche Elaine Dunbar Hall Combs

Blanche Elaine Dunbar Hall Combs, 102, of Christiansburg, Virginia, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 24, 2026, following a brief illness. Blanche was blessed to live independently, with the help of family, until her recent hospitalization. Her beloved cat, Tiger Lily, was her constant companion and gave her the purpose and comfort she cherished while remaining in her home.

Blanche was born on October 29, 1923, in Waiteville, West Virginia. As a young girl, she moved with her family to the Johns Creek area of Craig County, Virginia. She graduated as valedictorian from New Castle High School in 1940. After graduation, Blanche moved to Alexandria, Virginia, where she worked at the U.S. Pentagon for several years.

Choosing to leave city life behind, she returned to Craig County, where she married and raised her family on a farm in the Sinking Creek community. After her children were older, Blanche began a new chapter at Virginia Tech. She pursued numerous chemistry courses, which led her to become a laboratory specialist in Biochemistry. She faithfully served in that role for thirty-five years before retiring.

Never one to sit still, Blanche continued working as a new product demonstrator for Kroger in Christiansburg and Blacksburg well into her nineties.

Blanche was a longtime member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Christiansburg, where she was active in worship and Bible study. If you visited Blanche, you could always count on her ending the visit in prayer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Combs; her parents, Leonidas and Lydia Dunbar; her brothers, Jack and Robert Dunbar; and her son, George C. Hall, Jr.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Gary (Mary Jayne) Hall and Perry (Teresa) Hall; her daughter, Marilyn (Robert) Schidle; her grandsons, Steven (Crystal) Hall, Josh (Elizabeth) Hall, Christian (Amanda) Hall, Christopher Schidle, Brandon Schidle, and Zach (Jamee) Thornton; her granddaughters, Brook Hall, Ashley Poglitsch, Melissa (James) Gallihar, and Emily (Dylan) Duncan; as well as numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her special friends, Sonja Hypes and Carol Keeton, and her loving cat, Tiger Lily.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg, Virginia, with Pastors Sebert Rorrer and Mike Neuse officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Remembrances may be sent to Calvary United Methodist Church, 1600 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Va. 24073.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of Pulaski Health and Rehabilitation Center for their professional and compassionate care.