Thelma Combs Swope Fiorello, of Hixson, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010. She was born May 5, 1926, to the late Fred W. and Emma T. Combs. Thelma graduated from Red Bank high School and later married James Leo Swope. They have two daughters, Sherry (Ken) Actkinson, of Hixson, and Sheila (Vedrnon) Ellis, of Ooltewah.Thelma was a stay-at-home mom (or in those days - a housewife) and took care of her terminally ill husband. After he passed away, she went to work outside the home doing medical billing, from which she retired in 2003. After 16 years being single, she met and married the Rev. Charles C. Fiorello, of Hixson who has a daughter, Linda (Bob) Campbell, of Midland, Texas and a son, Anthony (Becky) Fiorello, of Hixson. Charles and Thelma made a life together in Hixson and attended Clifton Hills Baptist Church where Reverend Fiorello is the pastor.Thelma and Charles moved to the Gunbarrel Road area in 2007 where they lived for 2 1/2 years. Thelma was not happy being on the "other side of the river" from where she had lived her whole life. So as her health began to deteriorate, she was glad to move back to Hixson, along with Charles, to live at Morning Pointe Assisted Living facility. Thelma lived there for 50 days. Her body grew tired and weak from her declining health and on September 1, 2010, she slipped away to Heaven, where hopefully there will be an unending supply of banana popsicles.Thelma loved butterflies and angels. She enjoyed reading and working in the flower garden when she was able.Other than parents and first husband, Thelma was also preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Combs.She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles; daughters, Sherry and Sheila; stepchildren, Linda and Anthony; grandchildren who called her "Nana", Karen (Shane) Monday, of Soddy-Daisy, Lindsey Forgey, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Tiffany (Gary) Farmer, of Columbia, Tenn., Chase Ellis, of Cartwright, Okla., Lacey Fiorello and Whitney Fiorello, of Chattanooga, Brian Campbell, of Midland, Texas, Matthew (Tonya) Campbell, of Spanaway, Wash.; great-grandchildren, Gwen and Kerrigan Monday, Garrett Farmer, Zachary Campbell, Caleb Campbell, Austin Burkett and Ryan Campbell; sister, Helen Combs; brothers, Clyde (Wylene) Combs and Ernest (Emma) Combs and their families.Visitation is 2 - 8 today at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Chapel with the Rev. Eric Stitts officiating. Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Please visit www.lanefh.com to share condolences. Arrangements by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace.
