Dea. James Henry Bland

Deacon James H. Bland, son of the late John Arthur Bland and Sarah Grimes Bland, was born July 20, 1919 in King George, VA. He departed this life on July 31, 2010.

James was united in holy matrimony to a strong Christian woman, Clara B. Scranage for 34 years until her death in 1975. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Margie Bland and Charlotte Jordan; and, five brothers, Levi, Joseph, Robert, Arthur and Clarence. James was the last of the five brothers that lived on Mathias Point Road in King George County, better known to the local folk as “Bland Town”.

At an early age, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and joined the Little Ark Baptist Church under the ministry of the late Rev. John Carter. He developed into an enthusiastic and earnest Christian worker and an avid reader of the Bible. He was a Deacon for fifty plus years, member of the Young Men’s Jubilee, Sunday School teacher and a Bible Training Union teacher.

James was a Rigger (Ordnance Test) Foreman in the Range Services Branch of the Test and Evaluation Department. He was appointed at The Naval Weapons Laboratory on April 8, 1941. He represented Dahlgren at many installations when his ordnance expertise was needed. He was honored with an Outstanding Performance Rating, a Group Superior Accomplishment Award and a Letter of Commendation. He retired with thirty-three years of service in 1974.

He leaves to cherish his memory five children, Dorothy Johnson, William (Laurie) of King George, Virginia, Elenora Norris of Houston, TX, JoAnne Barnes of Houston, TX and Joan Jefferson-Freeman (Alphine) of Houston, Texas; thirteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, nine sister-in-laws, Adell Bland, Ruth Bland, Lenora Bland, Pansy Bumbrey, Margie Bumbrey, Juanita Washington, Mary Bell Scranage, Annie Minerva Scranage, and Susie Bland all of King George, one brother-in-law Perry Scranage, Sr. of King George; a dear friend, Mrs. Blanche Jefferson; a special great-niece, Tammie Davis and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.


Funeral Home:
Cedell Brooks Funeral Home
25662 A.P. Hill Blvd
Port Royal, VA
US 22535