MELVIN NEEDAM
June 14, 1927 to September 21, 2019
Service: Sunday, Sep 29, 2019, 2:00 P.M. at New Metompkin Baptist Church, Parksley, Va.
Viewing: Saturday, Sep 28, 2019, 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at Williams & Wharton Funeral Home, Accomac, Va.
Melvin Lorenzo Needam (“Mel”, as he was often called by his friends and those who knew him) was born on June 14, 1927 to the late James and Virginia Needam in Baltimore, MD. The family later moved to Northampton County, VA., where his father, James, Sr., earned a living as a farmer. The family purchased land in Accomack, County in the community of Greenbush, VA., where his father continued to farm, but this time, on his own land. He built their family home on this land, and years later when James, Sr. stopped farming, he deeded the farmland as parcels to Mel and his siblings enabling each to build their own home.
During Mel’s childhood, he was gifted with a pony he adoringly named Frankie. Mel had shared the story of when he was younger and had a bad fall and Frankie dragged him to safety and licked his wounds as though tending to him. Mel attended T.C. Walker Elementary School. He was employed in the construction of Mary N. Smith High School. In the years that followed, he became a truck driver. Driving was something he enjoyed as he often spoke of his driving experiences.
Mel had become a father of two (Charles Warner (deceased) and Patricia Needam). Upon meeting Catherine Dix, he heard bells and whistles. Realizing their love for each other, they married in November 1952. This union produced five children. As the family grew, so did their love.
In the 1960’s, Mel became one of the first blacks of many to obtain employment at NASA Wallops Island, VA. Mel prospered at Wallops. He started as a janitor, but his communication skills opened doors to several jobs including a vending machine route and as a part-time bartender which soon ascended into full-time status. He was then promoted to a position in security. Mel used his growing influence to help other black people secure employment at NASA by calling on the network of friends he had created along the way. He retired in 1998 from NASA as a Rocket Launch Dispatcher.
Mel had a great love for music and he was eventually asked by some young musicians to manage their band. They persisted and convinced him to say “yes.” This changed everything! Mel taught himself how to play the guitar while also developing a passion for playing the alto saxophone. After the band had formed, they featured him in a solo slot, where he earned the nickname “Maceo.” Mel and several peers were the first people of color to rent the local Armory in Onancock, VA whereupon they proceeded to host musical and dance events at the Armory for several years.
If you knew Mel, you knew he had a great passion for the manly art of boxing. He would order Pay-Per-View fights no matter who was fighting and invite friends over to watch. Mel often told the story of having met World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Rocky Marciano, who helped him when his truck broke down.
Melvin and his wife Catherine became members of Metompkin Baptist Church as did their children. Each child committed to Christ and joined the church. Mel sang in the choir "The Leroy Mapp Singers," and served on the Usher Board. He eventually served as Chairman of the Trustee Board. He continued serving God and his church until he was called home to be with the Lord on his sunset of September 21st.
On September 15th, days before his passing, Mel confided to one of his daughters, saying, “I looked around the church and realized I was the oldest member of the New Metompkin Baptist Church. I feel blessed every time God gives me another opportunity to be in the House of the Lord.” If you talked to him, it would not be long before you heard him testify, “God has been good to me.”
Melvin was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, the late Catherine Dix Needam. He leaves behind to cherish his memories his six children: Larry Needam (Grace), Chesapeake, VA; Patricia Needam, Newport News, VA; Valeria Davis (John), Palm Coast, FL; Dot Thompson, Manassas, VA; Angela Doane, Woodbridge, VA; Penny Torry (Lee), Manassas, VA; and a daughter-in-law, Jeanette Warner, Baltimore, MD. Eleven grand-children: Vonda Laws (Jason), James Wright, Lynette Pinckney, Charles Warner, Jr. (Tiffanie), Anthony Needam, Ronda Bailey, Jr., Kalisha Green, Melanie Needam, RaKeeia Thompson, Anika Melvin (Virgil), and LeAnn White; thirty-one great-grand-children and eleven great-great-grand-children. Mel also leaves behind one very loving sister, Bessie Wharton, Greenbush, VA, and one Aunt, Rosa Needam, Hampton, VA and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
