Ruth Marie Combs Brashear (October 28,1944-September 9, 2023) lived a beautiful and dignified life. She was a brilliant, well-respected, funny and loving wife, mother, nana, colleague, and friend. Ruth was a problem solver; if you wanted something done, she would help take care of it. She provided comfort and solace to many while asking for nothing in return. She supported and loved her family and friends through the many difficulties of life. She had a joyful presence and made an impact on many people. She filled her home with warmth and kindness. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.

Ruth was an accomplished businesswoman, managing several insurance agencies as an independent agent from the late 70's until her retirement in 2019. She could cook, grow, or sew anything. She was a crafter and DIYer, making anything she set her mind to for family and friends.

She married Donald Brashear in 1965 and they bought a house in Happy, Ky in 1971, where they both remained until their deaths. They raised two daughters, Donna Brashear Ratliff, Happy, Ky. And Deana Brashear, Lexington, Ky. When her grandson Benjamin Ratliff was born in 2001, she was always there to help, becoming his best friend and travel buddy. She loved to travel with family and friends along, creating many great memories. She loved autumn, chocolate, reading, laughing, decorating, ice cream, baking, Christmas, and her dog Bella. She hated injustice, rudeness, and cruelty. Ruth will be remembered for her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and giving heart. We will miss her desperately but know that she is part of us and always will be.

Ruth will be preceded in death by her husband of 56 years Donald Brashear, her granddaughter Hope Joelle Brashear Ratliff, her parents Brownloe and Sarah Combs, and three brothers, David Carlos Combs, Jessie Combs, and Kenneth Combs. She is survived by her daughters Donna and Deana, grandson Ben, Aunt Mabel Campbell, sisters Sue Napier (Darrel) of Beaver Dam, Ky., Joyce Grady of Texas, sister-in-law, Susie Combs of Grapevine and Helen Combs of Big Creek and two brothers, Robert Combs (Carol) of Big Creek and Earl Combs of Tennessee. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and too many friends to name, with Winnie Begley, Marlene Morris, Kem Campbell, Timothy Couch, and Sandra Krasnopolsky being very close and supportive to Ruth and especially Willie Noble III, who was a tremendous help to the family the last months of Ruth's life.

Ruth will be cremated, per her wishes, and a celebration of life will be held Thursday, October 12th from 5-7pm at Engle-Bowling Funeral Home 301 East Main St, Hazard, KY. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a favorite charity to honor Ruth's memory.