Olivia Joy French-Martin

Olivia Joy French-Martin was born on February 5, 1941, in Madisonville, KY, to William Santa Combs and Florence Louise Malone Combs. On the morning of March 12, 2025, she was called home to be with her Lord.

Olivia was a proud graduate of Rosenwald High School, where she embodied the tiger spirit as a cheerleader. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she met and married Clyde E. French. Together, they had two children, Anthony E. French and Anita R. French-Bryant. Olivia worked as a butcher for Safeway and Vons, making history as the first African American woman to win a top butcher award.

After several years, Olivia and Clyde divorced, and she later reunited with her high school sweetheart, Rodney O. Martin, lovingly known as "Pa Rodney" to their family. They made their forever home in Hanson, KY, and married in 1997.

Olivia was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Martin; her parents; her son, Anthony E. French; her great-grandson, Bevon Phillips Jr.; her sisters, Joslyn Combs, Ladornia Combs Cowen, and Barbara Combs; and her brothers, Clayborn Combs, Garland Combs, and William Combs Jr. She was also predeceased by Dr. Festus and Maxine Clayborn, affectionately known as Uncle Doc and Aunt Maxie. They played an influential role in her upbringing and raised her in their home.

She is survived by her daughter, Anita Bryant of Madisonville, KY; her grandchildren, Erica Phillips (Bevon) of Washington, D.C., Clyde Bryant (Kim) of Killeen, TX, Kevin Bryant of Madisonville, KY, and Kristina Bryant of Garland, TX. She is survived by her sister Lillian Combs and brothers James and Donald Combs. She leaves behind ten great-grandchildren, Adriann Bryant, Deryn Bryant, Ori Bryant, Troy Bryant, Rylee Jackson, Sariah Phillips, Khloe Cameron, Imogen Phillips, Zyn Bryant, and Kobi Bryant, who were her greatest pride and joy. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends whom she loved dearly.

Olivia had a love for arts and crafts, gardening, and spending time at the lake with Pa Rodney and the kids. She was fiercely competitive when it came to playing games, especially cards—where she reigned as the family champion of "Phase 10."

Her warmth, strength, and unwavering love for her family will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched.