Deacon Abraham Bland, Sr., 92, of Petersburg, Virginia, departed this life on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Battlefield Park Healthcare Center, Petersburg, VA.  He was born August 3, 1933, to Otelia Bland Bonner and Jake Bonner in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. He was affectionately known as "Dirt Bland," to family and friends.

He was employed with the Richmond/Petersburg Turnpike and retired from both the Virginia Department of Transportation and Walmart.  He also worked as a driver for the Flower Mart, Petersburg, Virginia. Deacon Bland served as a deacon at Eleven Oaks Baptist Church in Dewitt, Viriginia.

Deacon Bland enjoyed fishing. He also enjoyed playing checkers, cards and a good game of dominoes.

He was preceded in death his parent, Otelia Bonner and Jake Bonner; sister, Eva Mae Boisseau; brother, James Bland, Sr.;grandson, Jevais Revell; two nephews, Slyvester Bland and James Bland, Jr.; mother-in-law, Nancy Epps; father-in-law, Albert Walker; sisters-in-law, Louise Bland and Brenda Epps; and his brothers-in-law, Henry Epps, Frank Epps, Moses Winfield and Claiborne Cooke.

Deacon Bland leaves a legacy of love to his wife of 71 years, Ruth Epps Bland (d. January 11, 2026); children, Kelleph A. Bland, Jr. (Tuana), Annette B. Kizzie (Aaron), Teresa Porter, Lori Ferrell (Eric), Pamela McBean (Michael), Nancy Bland, Stacy A. Bland (Jamie), Anthony Manson (Delzoria), Nathaniel Manson and Rebecca Manson (Paul); thirty-six grandchildren; seventy-six great grandchildren and thirteen great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Helen Winfield, Judy Epps, Rosemary Cooke and Patricia McLendon; brothers-in-law, Weldon Allen and Rodney Williams; devoted niece, Barbara Bland; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A special thank you to the Staff, Nurses and CNA of ACG Hospice for all the care and support given to our beloved, Deacon Abraham Bland, Sr.

Services will be held 3:00 P.M., Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God In Christ, 233 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, Bishop Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Pastor and the Rev. Barry O. Brown, Sr., eulogist.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5659918?fl=so&fe=fs