Mildred Perkins Bland passed away Saturday, May 19th. The daughter of Cora and Grover Perkins, she was a native of Hindman, KY, graduated from Hindman High School and Lees Junior College, and attended Morehead and Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College.
After teaching in the Knott County school system, she came to Newport News during World War II where she met and married her husband, H. Benjamin Bland, Jr. After Ben returned from being stationed in the Philippines, they remained in Newport News where they raised their family.
When Ben retired from NASA they built a home on the Chickahominy River. She remained there for nearly twenty years after Ben's death before moving to Williamsburg Landing.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cora and Grover; three sisters, Rose, Ruth and Sara; an infant son William; son-in-law, Stuart Smith; and her husband Ben Bland.
She is survived by daughters, Sharon Smith, Judi Howard (Jack), and Elizabeth Van Dyke (Tommy); grandchildren, Jennifer Smith Leichter, Matt Smith, Zach Howard, Ben Howard, Kevin Howard, Jake Van Dyke, and Daniel Van Dyke; great grandchildren, Logan and Lucas Leichter, Colin Smith, Dylan, Hannah and Carlee Howard, and Lily and Lyla Van Dyke.
Mildred was a charter member of Stone House Presbyterian Church and past president of Woman's Club of Toano.
Visitation will be at Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg on Thursday, May 24th at 12:30 pm, followed by the funeral service at 1:30 pm. Graveside service will be private.
In lieu of flowers family requests donations to Stone House Presbyterian Church.
