Tanner Abram Combs

Tanner Abram Combs, 27, of Kingsport, TN, went home to be with the Lord on May 22, 2025. Tanner was born and raised in Church Hill, TN, where he attended Church Hill Middle School and graduated from Volunteer High School in 2015. Following graduation, Tanner attended Northeast State Community College and received his degree in Physical Education from ETSU in 2020. He went on to get his Master’s Degree in Sports Science with a focus in strength and conditioning. During his schooling he taught at Church Hill Elementary School, Cherokee High School, Jonesborough Middle School, South Central Elementary School, Robinson Middle School, and Dobyns-Bennett High School. Following his master’s program, he took a full-time role at Robinson Middle School as a related arts teacher and strength and conditioning coach at Dobyns-Bennett. While teaching at various schools, Tanner coached baseball, basketball, football, and was the strength and conditioning coach for all of D-B athletics. Amidst all of his coaching, he also officiated high school football. Most recently, Tanner was named as the head boys basketball coach at Robinson Middle School.

Tanner loved being able to have an impact on the kids he coached and taught but the true love of his life is his wife Sydney. They met working at Eastman Rec in 2019 and were married in 2023. Their love story was a true testament of Jesus from the first time they met. Although he loved Sydney, he loved God the most. Tanner was a committed Christian and he was a constant witness to everyone he came in contact with. Through mentoring, team devotionals, and involvement at his church, Grace Point Fellowship, he was a light for Christ. Tanner recently led devotionals during basketball open gym nights at Ridgeview Baptist Church. Through God’s word, he helped move kids and young adults closer to Jesus using his two passions: basketball and faith. Tanner will be remembered as a loving brother, son, and husband. Most importantly, Tanner was God’s faithful servant and a gift to all of us.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Sydney Breeding Combs; mother, Susan Michelle Lacy; father, Rustin Patrick Combs; older brother, Chase Lincoln Combs; grandmother, Grace Anna Housewright; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dan and Tina Breeding; sisters-in-law, Taylor Breeding (Jonathan Ponce), and Jordan Breeding; aunt and uncle, Rob and Loana Lacy; and cousin, Jenna Lacy.

The family will receive friends from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Grace Point Fellowship Church. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Paul Warrick, Pastor Jon Rogers, and Zack Fleming officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be Rustin Combs, Chase Combs, Rob Lacy, Dan Breeding, and Jonathan Ponce.