Thelma Bland

Thelma Lorine Freeman Bland 98 went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Saturday February 19, 2011 at Oak Grove Health Care in Rutherfordton, NC. Thelma was born June 27, 1912 to the late Frank and Mamie Ross Freeman of Rutherford County. She is predeceased by her husband Thomas Earl Bland to whom she was married 67 years, brothers Worth Freeman and Ernest Freeman, sisters Beatrice McMahan and Annie Sue Warrick, sons-in-law J.D. Melton and Tom Douglas and daughter-in-law Geneva Bishop Bland. Thelma loved camping, cooking her famous biscuits and chocolate fudge candy, canning green beans and tomatoes from her garden and freezing everything she could get her hands on. She loved a yard full of flowers. She sold Avon for many years and loved her makeup, even on her last day on this earth. She loved her children and grandchildren and wanted everybody to come eat every Sunday. She and Earl loved the Atlanta Braves, Carolina Tar Heels, The Price Is Right and Bill Gaither music. She is survived by five children, Ruby Melton of Spindale, Ray Bland of Spartanburg, SC, Earleen Douglas of Forest City, Nancy Fox and her husband George of Charlotte and Kenneth Bland and wife Kathy of Forest City. Eight grandchildren, Rhonda Bland, Ricky Bland, David Melton, Denise Melton Worley, John Fox, Julie Fox Jones, Gregory Fox and Clint Bland. Sixteen great grandchildren, Nicole Worley Lowry, Christa and Jeffrey Worley, Christopher, Judith and Lucinda Jones, Amy and Brittany Fox, Abby, Carson and Griffin Bland, Chad, Heath and Dustin Bland, Johnny and Joey Bland. Four step grandchildren Charlie Baker, Gail, Chrissy and Eddie Douglas and one great great granddaughter Avery Lowry. The service to honor Mrs. Bland will be held Tuesday February 22, 2011 at Spencer Baptist Church 207 Oak Street Spindale, NC at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends from 1 – 2 PM in the Family Life Center. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery, Rutherfordton, NC. Memorials may be made to Spencer Baptist Church 207 Oak Street Spindale, NC 28160. Our special thanks to the Nurses and Staff at Oak Grove Health Care for their love and care.