| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 15 May 2008.
Althie Ball Sauceman obituary
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 2 Jul 2002.
W. C. Sauceman, Jr. obituary
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 23 Mar 2011.
Mervin D. Testerman obituary
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 18 Oct 2016.
(November 12, 1957 - October 18, 2016)
Thomas “Tom” Testerman, age 58, passed away suddenly Tuesday October 18, 2016 surrounded by family. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Mervin Testerman; and father and mother in law W.C. and Althie Sauceman. He is survived by his wife, Mae Testerman; sons Robert (Tonya) Thornton, Rick Testerman, and David Testerman (Jay Rudolph); grandchildren Ashton, Rylan and Maeghan Thornton; mother Mary Lou Testerman, siblings Trecia (Michael) Walters, Dale Testerman, Mary Louise (Mark) Grady, Freda (Paul) Hyde; sisters and brothers in law Jesse and Vickie Sauceman, Bill and Sandy Sauceman, Dottie and Gary Ford; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He will be sadly missed by many special friends and colleagues. Funeral Services will be at 7:00 pm, Saturday, October 22, 2016 in the Manes Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bob Hogan officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 23, 2016 in Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 pm prior to the funeral services on Saturday at Manes Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the guest register online at www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 20 Oct 2016.
Newport attorney, actor Tom Testerman dies at 58
NEWPORT—Funeral services have been set for 7 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 22, in Manes Funeral Home for Newport attorney Thomas “Tom” Testerman.
Testerman, 58, died suddenly this past Tuesday.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday in Manes Funeral Home in Newport and burial will be 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, in Union Cemetery.
Testerman was well known both as an attorney in Newport and for his work in the Newport Theatre Guild.
“He came in here with Phil Owens,” said former Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Porter.
“They were both very talented young lawyers. Tom was devoted and always prepared as a lawyer. He was also a singer, an actor and a great citizen of Cocke County. I have nothing but good things to say about him and his family.”
General Sessions Court Judge Brad Davidson said, “When I first came here to practice law, I didn’t know what I was doing. Law school teaches you the law but not how to be lawyer.
“Tom took me under his wing and helped immeasurably. That’s the kind of man he was. An example of his enormous heart: many years ago I had my first appeal (which has to be done a certain way) and did not know what I was doing. So, I ignored it until the day before it was due. At 3 p.m that day I asked Tom for his advice. He cancelled his appointments, had a person in his office rush to Knoxville to get the transcripts, and until midnight helped me prepare the appeal.To beat it all, I won. All who had the privilege of knowing Tom will sorely miss him.”
Former Plain Talk Managing Editor Gilbert Soesbee, who now covers Circuit Court for the Plain Talk, also had many fond memories of Testerman.
“I honestly cannot remember the first time I met Tom Testerman, but I’m sure it was in criminal court when he was representing a client and I was covering a case for the Plain Talk. But that is appropriate because it seems like he was always there, even if he was sometimes late for court,” said Soesbee.
“He was a fighter in criminal court, giving everything he had to represent the clients whose cases he accepted or were assigned to him by the court. Sometimes he pushed so hard that he earned the ire of the judges in whose courts he appeared. But he never lost the respect of those same judges, his fellow attorneys, and the community in general.
“In 1996, we were both in The Newport Theatre Guild’s production of Inherit The Wind. I suppose we were typecast: I played a newspaper reporter and he was a lawyer. Although Tom’s personality was pretty much the opposite of Matthew Harrison Brady, the character he portrayed, he threw himself into the part with gusto and his performance was a highlight of the production.
“His place will always be empty and he will always be missed. I knew Tom as a top-notch attorney, an honest and loyal friend, and truly one of the best people I have ever known.
Plain Assistant Editor Duay O’Neil also experienced Testerman’s theatrical skills in his productions of The Tall Woman and Under the Apple Trees.
“It was my pleasure to know Tom as a talented actor who was always willing to do whatever he could to make our productions the best they could be,” said O’Neil. “I came to know Tom during our production of The Tall Woman. Many of our performers had no prior experience on the stage, and Tom’s friendly demeanor and encouragement quickly put them at ease. Often he would gather the children in the production around him and help them rehearse their lines. They adored him. I will miss his quick wit and friendship.”
Testerman was preceded in death by his father, Mervin Testerman; and father and mother-in-law W.C. and Althie Sauceman.
He is survived by his wife, Mae Testerman; sons Robert (Tonya) Thornton, Rick Testerman, and David Testerman (Jay Rudolph); grandchildren Ashton, Rylan and Maeghan Thornton; mother Mary Lou Testerman, siblings Trecia (Michael) Walters, Dale Testerman, Mary Louise (Mark) Grady, Freda (Paul) Hyde; sisters and brothers-in-law Jesse and Vickie Sauceman, Bill and Sandy Sauceman, Dottie and Gary Ford; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 171501449).
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
TESTERMAN THOMAS V ALTHIE S [NOT GIVEN] COCKE 08-08-1987 34680
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name Althie Mae (Unknown) Sauceman
Event Type Marriage
Event Date 08 Aug 1987
Event Place Cocke, Tennessee, United States
Gender Female
Spouse's Name Thomas Vernon Testerman
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