Reba Faye Williams Coombs of Moline, Illinois, died Monday, August 15, 2005 of natural causes. She was 83 years old. The proud daughter of Jane Kidd Williams and Frank Williams, Reba was born in Powelton, West Virginia on April 21, 1922. The fifth of 10 children, Reba, like many others, knew the difficulties of the Great Depression and the hardships of coal mining towns. Her memories of growing up, however, were only fond, and she spoke often about her great love of West Virginia-its people and spirit and "gorgeous blue hills"-and above all else, the love and happiness in her family. After graduating from high school in West Virginia--a triumph in the face of considerable odds--she had the chance to move to Bridgeton, New Jersey, where she won a coveted job in a glass manufacturing plant at Owens Illinois, an opportunity made available to women at the time as men left to serve in World War II. It was there that she met Warren Minch Coombs, her husband of 35 years, and the father of her two children. Together, they enjoyed a rich and expansive life. Reba moved every four years, following her husband's career, living in Toledo, Ohio; Waco, Texas; and Deerfield, Illinois. She considered these years some of the happiest in her life, and she was always grateful for the chance she had to see and learn so much, and to experience a "big world". In addition to being a full time mother and wife, she worked throughout her life, in school cafeterias and general stores as a young girl ("this helped to pay for supplies at school"), and later as an administrative assistant, a textile sales person, and finally a real estate manager in Charlottesville, Virginia, a place and a profession she truly loved. In addition to working outside her home, she devoted many hours to worthwhile causes, including the Cancer Society, local charitable organizations, and various art institutions. She was a skilled seamstress and talented artist who created many beautiful pictures in oil; she was a lover of nature and art in all forms; and enjoyed travel and culture in all parts of the world. She made lifelong friends wherever she went and was always remembered by those who knew her for her elegance and grace, her easy humor and her relaxed way. She considered her family to be her greatest achievement, though, and she valued them above all else. Nothing was as important to Reba as "her girls"--Jane Bagby of Moline, Illinois and Janet Coombs of Palisades, New York, and she considered their husbands her sons--Mike Bagby of Moline, Illinois and Ken Carbone of Palisades, New York. She cherished all seven of her grandchildren and their spouses: Brian Bagby, Brad and Audrey Bagby, and Ben Bagby of Moline, Illinois; and Jamie Carbone, Nina Carbone and Lucas Carbone of Palisades, New York. Her three great grandchildren gave her particular pleasure and provided the richest and truest laughter toward the end of her life: Brian's children, Rylie Bagby, Kenley Bagby and Cael Bagby of Moline, Illinois. She is also survived by three beloved siblings: sisters Nina Gibson of Cross Lanes, West Virginia, Jackie Gillispie of Frazier Bottom, West Virginia, and brother Carl Williams of Orlando, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and four brothers. Reba's family is particularly grateful, as they know Reba was, for the loving care she received in the last months of her life at the Heartland Health Center in Moline, Illinois. Her physicians, nurses, the Center's staff, and those who came together in her final hospice care, provided the peaceful and comfortable end of life which her family prayed for and which Reba so richly deserved. Her spirit will be with us always. And we will love her forever. Graveside services will be private, held at Moline Memorial Park Cemetery, in Moline, IL. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be made to Pathway Hospice c/o VNHA, 500 42nd Street, Rock Island, IL 61201