Ralph Henry Bland

Mr. Ralph Henry Bland, 78, of 1581 Share Cake Rd., passed away at his home on Monday, January 16, 2017 with his loving family by his side. 

Born on December 19, 1938 in Sampson County, Ralph was the son of the late Charles Franklin and Mary Ella King Bland. He was a veteran with the United States Marine Corps and a retired truck driver. His passion has always been farming, and he loved being on his Massey-Ferguson tractor.  He was a hard-working, family man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sarah Elizabeth “Becky” Coats Bland of the home; his daughters: Dr. Rebecca “Susan” Crawford (Don) of Wilmington, Sonya Denise Reynolds (Barry) of Wilmington; two sons: Franklin “Frank” Stewart Bland (Sharron) of Richland, Mississippi and Brian Kelby Bland of San Francisco, California; two sisters: Sandra Dixon Westbrook of Newton Grove and Connie Dale Strickland of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; two brothers: Charles Davis Bland of San Antonio, Texas and Kenneth Ayers Bland of Clinton. He was also blessed with twelve grandchildren: Justin, Roy, Michael, Christopher, Jason, Cassie, Tyler, Griffin, James, Erin, Anna and Julia; and three great-grandchildren: Miranda, Sian & Meru.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Clara Bland Hadden and a granddaughter, Sara Kristine Bland. 

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Jeremiah Boles and his staff and to the 3HC Home Health Care staff, especially to the nurses who took such great care of him at home:  Sandra, Brooke and Sally. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society by visiting www.cancer.org, or to the Sampson County Veteran’s Association by mailing donations to: 335 County Complex Rd., Suite 100, Clinton, NC  28328.