Benson Craig Needham

Benson Craig “Ben” Needham, age 94, of Athens, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, December 4, 2025, at Morning Pointe Assisted Living.

Born July 8, 1931, in Kenton, Tennessee, Ben was the last surviving of eleven children of Edward Wyette and Myrtle Alberta Needham. He attended the former Mason Hall School alongside his siblings.

As a young man, Ben moved with his bride, Martha, to Chicago, Illinois, in search of opportunity. There they lived happily for more than 15 years and began their family. Daughters Shirley Gayle and Monica Lynn and sons Dennis Edward and Gregory Clay were born in Chicago. Later, the family returned to Tennessee, settling in Memphis, where daughter Lorie Anne arrived as a joyful surprise. In Memphis, the Needhams became active members of the East Memphis Church of Christ, where Ben served faithfully as an elder for many years. He taught all five of his children to love the Lord, to stand firm in faith, and what it truly means to be family.

A master trim carpenter by trade, Ben took great pride in his craft. His meticulous work still graces homes across Tennessee. He lived by two guiding principles: “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right,” and the carpenter’s timeless rule, “Measure twice, cut once.” In his leisure, Ben loved bowling, hunting, and, most of all, time spent with his family. Though he came from humble beginnings, Ben possessed a wealth of love for his wife, children, grandchildren, friends, and church family.

In 1995, Ben and Martha retired from Memphis to the mountains of East Tennessee, drawn by the breathtaking views, the quiet pace of life, and the wide-open space to indulge their shared passion for gardening and flowers. Longtime faithful members of the Church of Christ, they joined the Idlewilde congregation in Athens, where Ben lent his building expertise to help construct a new meetinghouse. With special care he restored and installed a pulpit that was salvaged from another congregation and added countless thoughtful, welcoming touches—warm woodwork and small personal details—that made the building feel like home to everyone who worships there.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; ten siblings; and one daughter, Monica Lynn Parker. He is survived by his devoted wife of 74 years, Martha “Mot” Needham; his children, Shirley Gayle Allen (Robert, deceased), Dennis Edward Needham (Maurica), Gregory Clay Needham (Joyce), and Lorie Anne Baker (Rich) and Son-in-Law Steven Ross Parker (Phyllis); thirteen grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and brethren who will miss him dearly.

The Needham family grieves the loss of its beloved patriarch while rejoicing that Ben has received the eternal reward for which he ran the race so faithfully all his life.

Visitation will be open for friends and members of the community on Thursday, December 11th from 5pm-7pm, with a service beginning at 7pm at Laycock Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens, TN. A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 12th at 2pm at McMinn Memorial Gardens in Athens, TN.

Those unable to attend may send condolences to https://www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/benson-needham

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in charge of arrangements