I miss you so much already.

McLeansville- Calvin Earl Needham, 82, passed away early Tuesday morning September 23, 2008 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday September 25, 2008, at First Presbyterian, 617 North Elm Street with Rev. Rhonda Davis officiating. Interment will follow at the Ether United Methodist Church Cemetery, 229 Ether Road, Ether, NC 27247.

An Ether NC (Montgomery County) native he was born June 23, 1926, the son of Elijah Walker Needham and Rose Ellen Kern Needham. Calvin graduated from Star High School and attended Guilford College. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, in Greensboro where he was a member of the Young Men's Bible Class and served as an usher. Calvin was a member of the McLeansville Lions Club, Greensboro Elks Club and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He retired from Bell South and was owner operator of Needham's Christmas Tree Farm in McLeansville. As a part of America's greatest generation his served his country proudly as a member of the United States Army during World War II.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife Mary Louise Johnson Needham.

Mr. Needham is survived by four children, Richard Lee Needham and wife Mary of Summerfield, Mary Lynn Needham of Whitsett, William Kelly "Bill" Needham and wife Debra of Walburg and Thomas Walker "Tom" Needham and wife Laura of Greensboro; one sister Jexie Reynolds Montgomery of Greensboro and a brother Kenneth Needham of Virginia Beach, VA,; four grandchildren, Kristin Elizabeth Saine, Geoffrey Earl Needham, David Elijah Needham and Alexander Walker Needham and special friend Dean Noell Joyce of Greensboro.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening September 24, 2008, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Forbis & Dick North Elm Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.forbisanddick.com.

In lieu of flower the family requests memorials be made to First School Scholarship Fund, 617 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401-2095.

I wish all of you could have met my PawPaw. I'm telling you, he was incredible. He had something to say about everything- something meaningful, funny, and intelligent. My mama told me today about the first time I met him- I was 3. We went to Tex and Shirley's for dinner with my stepdad's family for the first time (my mom was engaged to him, I think) and my mama was already nervous enough about meeting her future husband's parents. I got the ketchup and put some on my french fries and some dripped down the bottle. I then preceded to lick the ketchup straight off the bottle. Paw Paw thought that was the funniest thing ever, and never let me forget it.

I also remember the time that he asked me to drive him down to Star, NC- a baby North Carolina town where he went to high school. He knew I was excited about driving because I had just gotten my license. He was going to let me drive on the highway, and I was excited about spending quality time with him. We drove around town, and met some friends and a bit of family. I remember thinking how cute the town was and how sweet it was the Paw Paw let me drive him. Upon arrival back in Greensboro, he politely told my parents I might need to slow down a bit :)

He loved to mess with me and call me "Kristy". When I was younger, I honestly thought he didn't know my name until one day I told him that my name was "Kristin" and he laughed and laughed for hours because I thought he was serious.

I'm telling you- he was incredible. I already miss him. Prayers for my family, especially all his sons nad his daughter are very, very, very much appreciated.

I love you Paw Paw. See you soon :)