Robert Lee Bland

Robert Lee Bland Robert Lee Bland, 93, of Wilmington, died Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCare Center. Robert was born July 25, 1916 in Duplin County, NC, son of the late Charlie M. Bland and Rachel Mitchell Bland. His wife of 50 years, Faye Brisson Bland, and a sister, Estelle King, preceded him in death. Mr. Bland was a member of Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church for 55 years. He served his country in the U.S. Army earning a Purple Heart during World War II in the European African Middle Eastern theatre. He and his wife owned and operated Bland's Food Store in Wilmington and then in Harbour Island at Wrightsville Beach. He subsequently retired from the City of Wilmington's Planning Department after twelve years of service. He is survived by his wife, Doris Hendrix Bland; two children, Jerry L. Bland, Sr. and wife, LaNell, of Boiling Springs Lakes, NC, and Linda Tomlin and husband, Richard, of Wilmington, NC; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Frank Bland of Clinton, NC, and William W. Bland and wife, Rachel, of Wilmington; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend a very special ""thank you"" to Elaine Francis for her 3 ½ years of caregiving. A funeral service will be 11am Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Andrews Valley Chapel with Rev. Danny Hawkins and Rev. Tom Canady officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday at the funeral home from 10am until the service hour. Interment will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401, or Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church, 601 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480, or Disabled American Veterans at D.A.V. Chapter 11, 4601 Park Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403.