Thomas Holcombe Obituary

Thomas "Tommy" Mitchell Holcombe, 77, husband of Janice Hudson Holcombe, passed away on Monday, August 25, 2025. A Mauldin native, he was one of three children born to the late Thomas J. and Connie Howell Holcombe. Tommy went to Hillcrest High School where he met Janice, the love of his life. Neither of them ever dated anyone else! He graduated in 1966, and they married in 1968. They had been married for an incredible 57 years! Tommy graduated in the top 5% of his class from the Truck Driver Training School at Greenville Technical College in 1970. He began his dream career as a Tanker Driver with Ashland Chemical Company and drove for them for 23 years and two million miles with a perfect driving record. He then drove for 20 years for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Charlotte. After Retirement, Tommy went back to Coca-Cola and drove two days a week for another four years making the trip from Greenville to Charlotte on I-85 for 24 years! An honest, hardworking man, over the span of his 47 year career, Tommy drove over four million miles accident free and received numerous Safe Driving Awards. Described as a quiet, humble, and genuine man, when Tommy had something to say, you knew it was important. He was dependable and committed to his faith and everything that he undertook! A member of First Baptist Church, Mauldin since the age of two, to say that Tommy was active is an understatement. He served as an usher on Sundays and Deacon for the Homebound, often making unexpected visits to just check in with them. Listening to and praying with the lonely not only in their homes but in hospitals, nursing homes, and on the job. Tommy served as the hands and feet of Christ. He also visited families when they lost loved ones, ministering with his presence when words were difficult to find. Profoundly influenced by his Mother's 24-year caretaker role that left her unable to attend church, Tommy was instrumental in founding the Video Ministry for the homebound. He diligently worked for over 25 years to bring the Sunday worship experience to all members - even using his personal video camera to tape the service. He and his daughter, Shannon faithfully took the recordings to a different home each weeknight and connected the camera to their TV while Tommy and Shannon sat with the family! Eventually, the church approved purchases of a high-quality video camera and duplicating equipment to allow him to make multiple copies each Sunday afternoon. Tommy also started the Homebound Videotape Ministry delivery and had volunteers who helped him get 25 tapes out each week as the ministry grew. In addition to his beloved wife, Janice; he is survived by his son, R. Mitchell Holcombe and wife, Viviana; daughter, Rev. Deacon Shannon Reed and husband, Rev. Collin Reed; four grandchildren; Jackson and Olivia Reed; Hudson and Camilo Holcombe; brother, Jerry Don Holcombe; niece, Amanda Holcombe-Ledbetter; and nephew, Donovan Holcombe. He was reunited in heaven with his parents and his sister, Marilyn Holcombe, who passed in 1976. The Family would like to express their gratitude to Lutheran Hospice Care Staff, especially CNA Victoria, Nurse Delores and Nurse Renee, who have cared for Tommy and the family during the weeks of his life. Thank you to each family, friend, neighbor and co-worker who expressed love through visits, calls, and texts, as well as brought food and run errands for the Family! Tommy will lie in repose from 12 noon until 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025 in the Sanctuary at First Baptist Church, Mauldin followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be private. Tommy's favorite color was RED, and the Family requests that everyone attending the service wear red in his honor. Following the service, everyone is asked to join the Family for a reception with Coca-Cola and Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies in the Church Fellowship Hall. As we celebrate his life, be ready to share your best Tommy stories and memories! Family and friends who are unable to attend the service can view the Livestream by clicking on the "WATCH EVENT" button located in the Services section. The church will also stream on the their Facebook page, the church Roku Channel, and the church Apple TV channel. For more information on viewing on Roku or Apple TV, or for viewing a replay (archive) of the video, look under the Media tab on the church website mauldinfirstbaptist.org. In honor of Tommy's dedication, memorials may be made to the Audio Visual Ministry at First Baptist Church, Mauldin, 150 S. Main St., Mauldin, SC 29662. Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Thomas with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory". To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Thomas "Tommy", please visit our Tree Store.