Russell Lee Bland, 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Bethesda, MD. He was born to the late Samuel and Ethel Roberts Bland on August 3, 1931, in Petersburg, VA. He was predeceased by his brothers, Samuel and James Reuben (Oscar); and his sister, Thelma Bland Nelson. The youngest of the four, he was known as "Baby" by his mother and siblings.

A lifetime resident of Petersburg, Russell was a graduate of Peabody High School. Although small in stature, he was mighty in heart, loved sports, and played them all. He carried his love of sports to Virginia State College, where he graduated with a degree in Physical Education. It was at Virginia State that he met the love of his life, Della Waters Bland. They were married on December 21, 1957, and Russell immediately became a well-loved member of Della's family in Harrisburg, PA.

Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant and served in the Army Reserve for 10 years.

Russell worked in recreation at Central State Hospital for 30 years until his retirement in 1986. He continued his recreation work for another 35 years with the city of Petersburg's Department of Parks and Leisure Services. While there, he implemented senior programs, served as a recreation official (basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, baseball), was the senior aerobics instructor and van driver, and created the city's first summer youth golf program (First Tee).

An avid golfer, he "worked" at Dogwood Trace Golf Course in his later years. On February 10, 2016, Dogwood Trace unveiled its newest addition, a long-awaited clubhouse. Known as the Russell Bland Clubhouse, it includes a private dining room and pavilion.

The Bland house on West Clara Drive was the center of recreational activity. Although Russell had two daughters, the backyard had a basketball hoop, a horseshoe pit, and was the site of many softball games, as well as badminton and croquet. Russell and Della loved to bowl, and Russell won several trophies for bowling a perfect 300 game.

Russell and Della shared a love of sports, particularly for their beloved Virginia State Trojans. Active Boosters, you would see the two of them on campus during football and basketball seasons. Always the social couple, they were members of the Beaux-Twenty Club, Club Dejouir, and the Pasteboard Club, where they enjoyed playing many card games, including their favorite – poker. The two of them loved to dance, and according to Della, "when Russell and I hit the dance floor, everyone else would sit down."

An outstanding official in football and basketball, Russell was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and was recognized by the Central Virginia Basketball Officials Association for his 55 years of integrity, service, and dedication. He was one of the officials for the epic sold-out basketball game in 1975 between Thomas Jefferson and Maggie Walker at the Richmond Coliseum – the largest attendance for a high school basketball game.

Russell was a lifelong member of Gillfield Baptist Church. As Chairman of the Finance Committee, he was instrumental in securing congregational support and funding for the church's education wing.  Blessed with a beautiful tenor voice, he was a member of the Men's Chorus.

Russell knew the Lord and lived his life in service to others, guiding with grace, humor, and gratefulness for the life he had been given. He truly will be missed but never forgotten.

To cherish his memory, he is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Della; his daughters, Bobette Bland Banks (Medaris) and Terri Bland Stevens (John); two granddaughters, Nia Banks Wright (Ryan) and India Banks;  his "adopted" son and grandson Ronald Robinson (Denise) and Chris Moore (Amera) respectively; great grandson, Maxwell; and a host of nieces and nephews, family members, and dedicated friends.

The family would like to give special thanks to the following people: his caregivers, Yolanda Wright, Andrè Allen, and Beatrice Mason; neighbors, Carol Thweatt, Ricky McCray, Sheila Roberts, Spicely Bland, Deon Thompson and family, Diane Moore, Keith Timms, Jr., Glynis and Tyrone Wyche; and his mentee, Tami Yerby.

Services will be held at 12:00 P.M., Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Gillfield Baptist Church, 209 Perry Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. George W.C. Lyons, Jr., Pastor. The interment to follow at Blandford Cemetery.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5705480?fl=so&fe=fs