Niles Meacham

Niles Corley Meacham, 81, "with a tear rolling down his cheek, as a final goodbye slipped quietly from the lives of family who loved him" on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. "Big Meach" as he was known by his friends was called home to be with the Lord after a short illness. He was born July 24, 1932 in Chattanooga. A native of Chattanooga he lived and worked in Reading, Pa., for 35 years with a short stint in Stuart, Fla., after his retirement. Niles graduated from Baylor Military Academy in 1951 where he was an Invetational Camp Counselor, played varsitybasketball for Coach Bob Hill and was the Executive Officer of "A" Company in the military his senior year. Niles also graduated from the University of Chattanooga in 1957 with an BA in political Sscience, a member of Lambda Chi Alpha National Fraternity where he served as a pledge trainer, social secretary and secretary. He was house manager for four years. "Big Meach" played basketball at UC for coach Billy Obrien. After College he worked for the American Casualty Company in Reading, Pa., for five years where he met his wife, Shirley. He left ACCO to help start a brand new company, Security of America Life Insurance Co. in Reading, Pa., A U.S. Life, Company. He retired after 30 years as a regional vice president of marketing. In Florida, he was on the board of Four Winds on the River and originator and editor of "The Condo Commander". Locally, Niles started the Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni "Biscuit Brigade" which purchased "Care Packages" for our servicemen. He and his wife Shirley loved to travel. Big Meach was a collector of sea glass and sea shells. He liked to fish and play golf. He was a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Reading, Pa., where he married his wife and served on the church vestry for nine years. At Ridgedale Baptist Church he served as an usher. A loving husband, he and his wife of 52 years, Shirley could be seen holding hands everywhere they went. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Todd and Una Corley Meacham. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Meacham; son, Todd Andrew Meacham, Palm Beach Shores, Fla.; sisters, Charlotte Mullis Morgan (Byerly) and DeeDee (David Lee) Meadows, of Chattanooga, Carol Meacham, of Chattanooga; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Cunnius, Wyomissing, Pa., Pat (Parke) Boone, Blossburg, Pa.; brothers-in-law, Ernest Nonnon and Robert (Miriam) Nonnon, both in Reading, Pa. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Dr. Bill Owens officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Homebound Services, Foreign Missions of Ridgedale Baptist Church 1831 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421, or to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.