Bruce Needham, 98

BEDFORD, TEXAS — Bruce Needham, 98, joined his wife of over 76 years in eternal life on May 5, 2014, at Emeritus at Oak Hollow Memory Care Facility.

Mr. Needham was born in Knoxville, Tenn., to the late Ed and Nina Needham. After business school in Knoxville, he married Melba Snodderly on Sept. 11, 1937. He worked for Security Mills and JC Penney in Knoxville, then managed Penney stores in Corbin, Ky., and Hendersonville, N.C. He retired in 1976. Mr. and Mrs. Needham moved to Texas in 2013.

Mr. Needham was a member of First Baptist Church where he enjoyed cooking on Wednesdays after retirement and where he felt especially close to his "money buddies" for many years. He and his wife shared fond memories of their church trip to Egypt and Israel. He was a 50-year member of the Kiwanis Club. He tutored elementary school students in arithmetic at Fletcher Elementary School. Bruce Needham was proud of his 34 years with Penney's, his family of employees, and the loyal patrons who have kept up with him through the decades.

His family members extend special thanks to the loving staff of Emeritus at Oak Hollow and Grace Hospice in Texas and to those of Pine Park and First Baptist Church in Hendersonville.

Bruce Needham was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, Melba Needham. Survivors include his son, John Needham and wife, Dolaine, of Richmond, Ky.; daughter, Diana Williams and husband, Tom, of Euless, Texas; grandchildren, Bryan Needham and Mark Needham of Kentucky, Tara Bowman and husband, Chad, and Joy Swacker of Texas; three great-grandchildren, William, Benjamin and John Paul Bowman; and many cousins.

Close to the heart of Bruce Needham is the mission of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville; and to the family, memorials to The Alzheimer's Association (2630 West Frwy, Ste. 100, Fort Worth, TX 76102, or www.alz.org).

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2014, at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel with the Rev. Wally Shamburger officiating. Interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park will follow the service. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Thos. Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.