Norma Jean Needham

Norma Jean Garrett Needham gained her angel wings on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, in the comfort of her home, peacefully and surrounded by family. 

Norma Jean was born on December 6, 1935, to the late Maurice and Opal Finch. Known as Norma Jean to most, Norma to some and Jean to immediate family, she was one in the same to everyone she met. She spent the sum of her 88 plus years in West Tennessee, and with the exception of a few years in Paris, Tennessee, made her home in the Kenton/Mason Hall community. Norma Jean was a longtime active member of Union Grove Methodist Church; she taught a children’s Sunday School class there for years. She was first a homemaker and a mother, working in public employment in several capacities throughout her life. Norma Jean will be remembered by many as the smile both behind the counter and at the gas tank when she and her husband, Charles Garrett, owned G&F Grocery outside of Kenton, Tennessee. It can never be said that Norma Jean was not a hard worker with outstanding work ethic in whatever role she attempted. She will be greatly missed as a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Norma Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years and father to her three children, Charles Edward Garrett; her parents, Maurice and Opal Finch; a grandson, Kevin Russell “Rusty” McFarland; husband, Charles Needham; and a son, Kenneth Edward Garrett. She leaves two daughters, Kathy Hale of Humboldt, TN and Janice Dickey (Charlie Fred) of Union City, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Lori Horner (Keith), Tiffani Leann Timonen (Phil), Stephanie Garrett and Frankie Hargis; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; a sister, Jane Allen (Jack) of Kenton, Tennessee; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family recognizes four caregivers who assisted on a regular basis and truly cared for the past 10 months, Felisha Fisher, Pam Milligan, Anita Moore and Stacie Tulhoski.

Pallbearers will be Michael Allen, Kerry Freeman, Keith Horner, Jordan Mitchell, Kobe Mitchell and Phil Timonen.

A Celebration of Life will be held, Friday, August 9, 2024, at Union Grove Methodist Church, 3055 E Union Grove Road, Kenton, Tennessee. Visitation for friends will begin at 11:00 a.m. with service to begin at 2:00 p.m. and interment to follow in Union Grove Cemetery. Officiating will be Brother Mickey Hanks and Brother James “Bo” McEwen. You are invited to gather with us as we pay tribute to a wonderful lady who positively touched many lives.