Mushure mokunge Combs apedza kudzidza mutemo paYunivhesiti yeKentucky uye akavhura mutemo wepamutemo muPrestonsburg. Akashongedzwa nokuda kwekutonga mhosva dzehondo dzeJapan pamberi pematare ehondo mushure meHondo Yenyika II, akabva adzokera kuKentucky uye mutemo wake. Muna 1951, Gavhuna Lawrence Wetherby akamugadza kuti azadze nzvimbo yakasununguka paKentucky Court of Appeals. Gare gare gore iroro, akasarudzwa kuti ave mutongi wepamutemo padare, achikunda mutongi wekare uye mutongi Simeon S. Willis.
Clay County