Frances Norris Combs-Lane

Frances "Fran" Norris Combs-Lane, 86, a resident of Helena, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26th, 2026. Funeral services for Frances will be held at 2 PM on Friday, May 29th, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Brother Clay Crum officiating. Interment will follow in Joquin Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing the services. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday starting one hour prior to the service.

Fran started working for the Social Security Administration as a representative in their Andalusia office before working her way up to a fraud investigator as she made stops at their offices in Baltimore, Atlanta, and in Birmingham where she retired. In July of 1954, she dedicated her life to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as she was baptized in the Baptist faith, and held to her faith throughout her life. I doubt anyone ever once questioned Fran's tenacity and strength as she raised two girls on her own during the 1960s. That required a special fortitude which was an enduring example passed down through her family. She was strong-willed but she was also sassy with a joy and love of life that meant life was never boring when Fran was around. She was a devoted mother and "MawMaw" to her treasured grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will always be remembered for her love of the holidays, tea parties, and Christmas trees (20 at last count.....please take one!).

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Horace & Alice Sims Norris, and siblings, Rafus Norris and Jeanette Hodge. She is survived by her beloved daughters, Debbie Combs & Patty (Mike) Tharp; grandchildren, Nathan Peters, Meghan (Jordan) Houston, Daniel Combs, and Lindsey (Ty) Nash; great-grandchildren, Anna (Scott) Stephens, JJ Peters, Ella Houston, Isaac Houston, Emeric Houston, Ronan Combs, Kensie Combs, Blaise Combs, and Etta Nash; siblings, Ethell Robbins, Pete Norris, John (Sharon) Norris, and Betty (Wenton J.) Payne; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

The family requests any memorial donations be made to the Joquin Cemetery Fund.