Mary Elizabeth Combs Wilder {Blue Eyes} Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, and Friend passed away on November 16th at the age of 85.
Mary was born on January 25th 1936 in Harlan KY to Kennon and Martha Combs. She was a bright girl with beautiful blue eyes, a huge grin and incredible fighting spirit. While her friends all called her “Blue Eyes”, it was her infectious personality they most gravitated to.
Upon graduation from high school, Mary entered nursing school at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington Ky. She graduated with her nursing degree in 1957 and decided to continue her studies specializing in anesthesiology.
On Aug 2 1958 she married Edgar Sterling LeMaster. Soon, her first son Gregory Kennon LeMaster was born in 1960. Quickly followed in 1962 by her next son Phillip Reginald LeMaster.
Shortly after the family moved to Middlesboro KY for her anesthesiology career, her third son Neil J LeMaster was born in 1964. By 1969, the family packed up and headed to Corbin KY where her fourth son came to the world, Paul David Wilder.
In 1972 she got married to Forester Sampson Wilder and lo and behold a fifth son entered the equation. Chad Combs Wilder was born in 1973.
Mary then started her own company and started traveling to other smaller communities doing Anesthesia for the citizens of Jellico TN. Lafollette TN and Whitesburg KY.
During the Bicentennial, the family moved to the Sunshine State where she studied cosmetology and opened a salon in the city of Golden Gate
In 1979, Mary took up nursing once again and followed a good job to Vero Beach FL. Unfortunately in 1983 her beloved second husband Forester passed away and ever the resilient spirit, she once again moved, this time to Ogden Utah where she practiced until 1992 before moving for the final time back to Vero Beach. There she continued her nursing career at Indian River Hospital for 24 years before her retirement in 2016.
Mary is survived by her sister, Phyllis Cundiff, her brother Gary Combs and three of her children Greg LeMaster, Phillip LeMaster, and Neil LeMaster. Her Grandchildren Ashley LaGrow, Dustin LeMaster Zachary LeMaster, Phillip Thomas, Randall LeMaster, Tyler LeMaster, Ashley Ixta , Felicia Cerna, and numerous Great grandchildren will all miss her dearly.
While these are the facts of her life, they cannot begin to express a life so well lived. She loved others dearly and would do anything for those in need. Her children grieve at the loss of their mom but know that her cherished memory will be carried with them forever. We love you, Blue Eyes.