Ruth Epps Bland, 86, of Petersburg, VA, departed this life on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at her residence. She was born February 24, 1939, to Nancy Epps in Dinwiddie County, Virginia.

She was employed in hospitality. Ruth was a member of Eleven Oaks Baptist Church in Dewitt, Viriginia. Ruth enjoyed yard-saling and thrifting.

She was preceded in death her husband of 71 years, Deacon Abraham "Dirt Bland" Bland, Sr. (d. January 1, 2026); mother, Nancy Epps; grandmother, Rosa Swann; great grandchildren, Kella M. Jones; sister, Brenda Epps; brothers, Henry Epps and Frank Epps; aunt, Alease Cooper; uncle, Donald Cooper, mother and father-in-law, Otelia Bland Bonner and Jake Bonner; sister-in-law, Eva Boisseau and Louise Bland; and his brothers-in-law, James Bland, Sr., Moses Winfield, and Claiborne Cooke.

Ruth leaves a legacy of love to her 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, Helen Winfield, Judy Belinda Epps, and Rosemary Cooke; sister-in-law, Patricia McLendon; brothers-in-law, Weldon Allen and Rodney Williams; devoted nieces, Barbara Bland; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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