Evelyn Bland

Joseph Grant Bland Sr., 84, and his wife, Evelyn Gibbs Bland, 80, of Colonial Heights, died on Friday, January 21, 2011. Mr. Bland was the son of the late Joseph and Pattie Grant Bland. He was a retired Fireman for the Fire/Security Department at Central State Hospital, a volunteer at Namozine Volunteer Fire Department, a World War II Army Veteran, and a past employee with Wheel Service of Petersburg. He was a member of the American Legion Post #284, the VFW Post #2239, and AARP. Mrs. Bland was the daughter of the late William E. Sr. and Mary Aldridge Gibbs, and was preceded in death by three brothers, James, William and Ben Gibbs; six sisters, Louise Sanford, Lillian Otey, Rose Draper, Hazel Johnston, Josephine Barron, and Florence Harmon. She retired as a Major with the Petersburg Sheriff's Department, serving over 40 years. They are survived by their son, Joseph G. Bland Jr. and his wife, Kathryn of Chesterfield; their daughter, Lisa B. Pittman and husband, Steven of Lancaster, four grandsons, Joseph G. Bland III, Joshua L. Bland, S. Kyle Pittman, and Tyler L. Pittman; his brothers, James M. Bland and wife, Mary Alice of Dinwiddie and John W. Bland of Prince George; his sisters, Jean Stallings and husband, Doc of Maryland, Ann Cunningham of Hopewell, and Hunter Hamlin and husband, Jimmy of Colonial Heights; numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 27, 2011 in Ocran United Methodist Church, 20221 Cox Road, Sutherland, Virginia 23885 with the Reverend Robert House, the Reverend Gene Tatum, the Reverend Dr. Randy Arrington and the Reverend Keith Ritchie officiating. Interment will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 or the Namozine Volunteer Fire Department, 3913 Pelham Street, Petersburg, Virginia 23803. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.