Marion Eli Bland

Marion Eli (M.E.) Bland, 99, of Jacksonville, Florida and a former resident of the Valdosta area, died on Monday, September 23, 2013 at the Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville. He was born on April 27, 1914 in Jennings, Florida to the late James David and Lilly Herring Bland. Mr. Bland was a retired ordained Baptist minister and was a member of Black Pond Baptist Church in Jacksonville. Survivors include his wife, Pearl Bland of Jacksonville; a grandson and his wife, Mark and Rachael Bland; two great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Serenity Bland; step-children and their spouses, Kenneth O'Berry of Macon, Georgia, Darryl and Sherry O'Berry of Winter Haven, Florida, and Brenda and Charlie Sheppard of Jacksonville, Florida; step-grandchildren, Kristy Lynn O'Berry, Logan Sheppard, and Leah and Lauren Sheppard; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Mary Nell Bland, a son, William E. Bland, and an infant son, five brothers, J.W. Bland, Luther Bland, Hiram Bland, Ruben Bland, T.E. Bland, and two infant sisters. Services for M.E. Bland are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2013 in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with Rev. Charlie Hunt officiating. The burial will follow in the Beaver Dam Cemetery in Ray City. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.