Kenya Joy Bland

Our beloved Kenya Joy Bland entered this world and made it a better place on November 5, 1995. Paul and Cheryl Bland of San Antonio have the privilege of being her parents. Kenya is a graduate of Churchill High School and spent most of her life in San Antonio, Texas with the exception of her college years, where she attended and graduated from Prairie View A & M. At Prairie View, she graduated from the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies. After graduation, she fulfilled her dream of being a teacher, specializing in Reading and Writing. She first taught reading at the George Gervin Academy, and lastly at IDEA Monterrey Park where she was the fourth-grade writing teacher. She deeply loved her students or as she liked to call them her ‘scholars’. Before each school year started, she would spend weeks deciding on the perfect classroom theme to encourage them and give them a joyful environment to learn in.

On June 5, 2001 at age 5 Kenya gave her life to Christ during Vacation Bible School and was baptized on June 10, 2001 at Maranatha Bible Church, where her membership remained until her home going. She stayed active throughout her many years at Maranatha serving in the Cherubim and Youth Choirs, Youth Ministry, Sunday School Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Mo Ranch, and spoke at special programs like the Mother Daughter Banquet. She also served in The Ark Nursery Ministry where she discovered her passion for teaching. Kenya loved traveling, shopping (especially unique shoes and cute purses), working out, developing her cooking skills, and cherished spending time with family and friends.

Kenya will be greatly missed and is survived by her parents, Paul and Cheryl Bland, her brother, Paul Bland II, her grandmothers, Barbara Clay of San Antonio, TX and Charity Bland of Lake Providence, LA; god-mother April Harvatin; her aunts, Barbara “Nina” Davis (Art) of Phoenix, AZ ; Lucinda Bland of Lake Providence, LA; Ada Joseph (Samuel) of Grambling, LA; her uncles, Henry Henderson Jr. of Chicago, IL, Clarence Bland (Billie) of Lake Jackson, TX; Robbie Bland (Jacqueline) of Angleton, TX; Mark Bland of Orlando, FL; great aunts, Lottie Henderson, Shirley Clay and Vera Hopkins of San Antonio, TX; Jean Darden (Felix) of Smithfield, VA; and great uncles, Kenneth Henderson and Dennis Robinson of San Antonio, TX; Henry S. Ivory (Carolyn) of Washington, D.C.; Ronnie Collins (Angela) of Denver, CO; as well as a host of cousins, other family members, friends, coworkers, and students. We rejoice that in glory she is reunited with those she loved dearly that went before her.

The Lord called Kenya home on September 15, 2024. She will be deeply missed, but we know that she is more alive than ever in paradise and is experiencing perfect peace.

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

GOING HOME CELEBRATIONTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 202412:30 PMMARANATHA BIBLE CHURCH7855 E LOOP 1604 N

Pastor Rander E. Draper Sr. will officiate. Interment will follow in Meadowlawn burial park. Pallbearers will be Paul Bland II, Darius Davis, Deontay Henderson, Paul Bland II, Kahlil Davis, Barron Johnson, and Rahni Guilford. Honorary Pallbearers will be David Clay III & Jamiah Davis.