Colonel Sawyers (C.S.) Needham

Colonel Sawyers (C.S.) Needham,, Jr. – prominent Civic Leader and Businessman of Fountain City and resident of Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2011 with his loving family by his side at the age of 91. A man with God-given integrity that personified his service to his country, his church, his community and his friendships. This integrity provided the tender passion for his deep love of his family and those special interests to which he gave so much. He owned and operated Plasti-Fab, a custom sign and display business for more than fifty years before his retirement in 2009. Needham served honorably in World War II as a B17 pilot flying thirty-five missions over Germany with the 388th Bomb Group, United States Air Force. He was recalled into service for the Korean conflict serving as Wing Intelligence Officer for the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing. An active member of Central Baptist Church of Fountain City for more than sixty-five years, he served as deacon, treasurer, Sunday School teacher, department director and committee leader. A faithful member of Fountain City Lions Club since 1947, he maintained perfect attendance for sixty-one years. His Lions leadership included Club President, Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer, Zone Chairman and Deputy District Governor for the 12 N Cabinet. In March of 2011, Lion Needham was inducted into the Tennessee Lions Club Hall of Fame. Born April 18, 1919 in Knoxville, Tennessee he was the son of the late C.S. Needham, Sr. and Katherine Blackburn Needham. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty years, Mary Eleanor Acuff Needham and his sisters, Louise Taylor and Anna Grace Hodges. He is survived by his devoted daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Jerry Trivette of Fountain City; grandson, Scott Trivette of Dallas, Texas; grandson, Todd Trivette and wife, Karen Sharp Trivette and great-grandsons, Grant Sawyers Trivette and Baron James Trivette of Knoxville, Tennessee. The family expresses sincere and grateful appreciation to the staff of Ben Atchley Tennessee Veterans Home, D Wing, for their exceptionally professional and loving care. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2011 at Central Baptist Church of Fountain City with Reverend Ron Mouser officiating and a eulogy given by Jimmy Wyatt. Interment will follow in Highland Memorial Cemetery with full military honors presented by the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard and the United States Air Force 118th Base Honor Guard. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Mark Scheuer, Bob Luttrell, Deacons of Central Baptist Church of Fountain City, treasured friends of the Moulders Sunday School Class of Central Baptist Church of Fountain City and fellow members of Fountain City Lions Club. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Central Baptist Church of Fountain City, Window Replacement Fund, 5364 N. Broadway, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918 or to Fountain City Lions Club, P.O. Box 5276, Knoxville, Tennessee 37928. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Friday at Central Baptist Church of Fountain City. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.

Tributes

Colonel Sawyers (C.S.) Needham

April 18, 1919 - March 22, 2011