Kenneth Newton Holcombe, 83, of Adairsville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on June 7, 2015. Kenneth is survived by his wife, JoAnn Sullins Holcombe of 59+ years and their children: Jackie Sweatt of Homewood, Alabama, Angie (Evan) King, David (Tammaney) Holcombe, and Danny (Donna) Holcombe all of Adairsville, Georgia. Grandchildren are Stephanie (Forrest) Ledbetter of Vestavia Hills, Alabama; Christopher Sweatt of New York City, New York; Malloree (Justin) Lanier of Cordele, Georgia; Courtney (Matt) Martin of Warner Robins, Georgia; Avery King, of Adairsville, Georgia and Delayna Holcombe of Adairsville, Georgia. Kenneth loved his family, his country, and his Lord. He spent his life serving these faithfully and diligently.

Kenneth was born to Jessie Towe and Monford Holcombe on November 14, 1931, in a log cabin located on the Towe farm in rural north Bartow County. He lived his life in Bartow County. He attended school in Cartersville and graduated in 1949. Kenneth proudly joined the United States Navy and served his country as a damage control man second class, performing shipboard carpentry work and repair jobs on small boats aboard the aircraft repair ship, the USS Chourre. Along with sea duty, Kenneth served as a SeaBee while living on Guam for 18 months.

Upon returning to the states, he married JoAnn Sullins and they lived in Cartersville, Georgia. They attended Gilmer Street Baptist Church where Kenneth served as a deacon and as a leader for the Royal Ambassadors. When they moved out to the country, they joined Rowland Springs Baptist Church where he served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. Upon moving to Adairsville, they joined Adairsville Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. In the later years, they attended Belmont Baptist Church in Calhoun, Georgia.

Kenneth's occupation of choice always involved the printing and dying of fabrics and carpets. Over the years, he worked for E-Z Mills in Cartersville, Georgia and Artizan Carpets of Chatsworth, Georgia. He also worked with the Teague Brothers, Harry and Garnett, in an entrepreneurial business involving the dying of throw rugs.
Kenneth lovingly referred to himself as the Ponderosa Piddler. He enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting and fishing, as well as a variety of craftsman activities. He was always working with his hands. Together, Kenneth and JoAnn enjoyed traveling our country and spending time in their camper. He enjoyed Bluegrass and Gospel music and admired the craftsmanship of homemade quilts. He worked in the sawmill business, bought and sold cattle, and managed some rental properties. Kenneth was always available to help his family and friends with household projects or "piddling" as he called it.

A special thank you to the Heyman Hospicecare of Rome, Georgia, for their loving care and support during Kenneth's last days here on earth.

Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 pm at the Barton Funeral Home located on Summer Street in Adairsville, Georgia, on Saturday, June 13, with a memorial service to follow. Steve Morrow and Jim Pinkard will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Orphan Aid Liberia @ P.O. Box 2434 Cartersville, Georgia 30120 and/or Heyman Hospicecare @ P.O. Box 163, Rome Georgia, 30162.