Nellie was the 3rd wife of Alphonso Atkins Epps. Ther is little information about his 2nd wife, Eunice Wiley. Court records show that Fonzy and Eunice were married in 1938 and divorced in January of 1940. Nellie and Fonzy were married on April 14, 1940.

The following information was provided by Elizabeth Zilenski:

This is information on Nellie and her first husband, Leslie COMBS, with whom she had five children, all of whom were raised by Fonzy EPPS when they married. Feel free to add this information to her memorial, which currently links only to her second husband, Fonzy.

For Nellie's side (paternal only; I could not locate any further information on Mary Ginn-Strickland at this time):

Elva J. DAVIS-STRICKLAND (1840 - Feb 12, 1892)
married
John H. STRICKLAND (Dec 1826 - Mar 16, 1902)
had child:

Eddie Miller STRICKLAND (1880 - 1927)
who married
Mary GINN-STRICKLAND (Sep 9, 1880 - Aug 22, 1915)
had children:

Thelma STRICKLAND (Sep 27, 1898 - Sep 29, 1991)
Ethel STRICKLAND (Mar 26, 1903 - Dec 5, 1953)
Nellie C. STRICKLAND-COMBS (1st marriage) -EPPS (2nd marriage) (Jun 5, 1905 - Oct 2, 1969)
Roland STRICKLAND (Jul 24, 1907 - Jan 24, 1925)
Hattie F. STRICKLAND (Jul 6, 1910 - Jan 29, 1964)
Tinnie Irene STRICKLAND (Jan 5, 1913 - Aug 27, 1974)

For Leslie's Paternal side:

Ebenezar COMBS (1775 - ?)
married
Unidentified Female
had child:

Josiah COMBS (1803 - ?)
married
Molly ?-COMBS (? - ?)
had children:

Smitha COMBS (1830 - ?)
Issac COMBS (1834 - ?)
Clarkey COMBS (1837 - ?)
John COMBS (1840 - ?)
Chrisa COMBS (1841 - ?)
Robert COMBS (1842 - ?)
Jerry COMBS (1845 - ?)
Benjamin B. COMBS (1842 - 25 April 1862)

Benjamin B. COMBS (1842 - 25 April 1862)
married
Louisa CONNER-COMBS (1844 - 1912)
had children:

James COMBS (1867 - 1923) [Leslie's Dad]
Lanie B. COMBS (? - ?)

For Leslie's Maternal side:

Giles SEYMOUR (1805 - 1860)
married
Mary Polly SEYMOUR (1808 - ?)
had child:

Borden SEYMOUR (1874 - ?)
who married
Mary ? - SEYMOUR (1835 - ?)
had children:

Augustus Patrick SEYMOUR (1850 - 1910)
Jane SEYMOUR (1856 - ?)
Bethany SEYMOUR (1858 - ?)
Mary L. SEYMOUR (1870 - ?)
Florence Isabella SEYMOUR-COMBS (1874 - 1941) [Leslie's Mom]
Eugene M. SEYMOUR (1874 -1948)

Florence Isabella SEYMOUR-COMBS (1874 - 1941)
married
James COMBS (1867 - 1923)
had children:

William C. COMBS (1889 - 1967)
Ella COMBS (1894 - ?)
Eler COMBS (1895 - ?)
Louisa COMBS (1896 - )
Isaac COMBS (1899 - 1977)
Leslie COMBS (1900 - 1933)
Birckice COMBS (1905 - Jan 23, 1995)
Laney COMBS (1908 - 1975)
Rastus COMBS (Aug 12, 1912 - 1953)
Randolph COMBS (1914 - 1975)

Now, for Leslie COMBS & Nellie STRICKLAND - COMBS - EPPS:

Leslie COMBS (1900 - 1933)
married
Nellie C. STRICKLAND - COMBS (Jun 5 1905 - Oct 2 1969)
had children:

Elise COMBS (1924 - 2000)
Paul R. COMBS (Aug 16, 1928 - Jul 22, 2000)
Edna Muriel COMBS - BLACKWELL (1930 - 1991)
Leslie COMBS (1932 - 1960)
Roland James COMBS (Mar 11 1933 - Jun 13 1999)

After Leslie died, Nellie married Alphonso "Fonzy" Epps. Nellie's daughter, Edna, married Marvin Blackwell, who sired my family line.