John Eldridge 'J.B.' Bland

Born in a time when few hospitals were accessible to people of color, John Eldridge Bland entered the world on January 5, 1929 to Augustus Bland and Dorothy Cain Bland. He attended Champion Junior High School where a devoted friendship grew with Walter Pillow, who preceded John in death, and James Martin. It was a common front porch or living room gathering conversation between them reminiscing about John’s track history in the good old days at East High School. John accepted Christ early in life beginning his spiritual journey at Shiloh Baptist Church. Eventually, life events led him to Second Baptist Church, then to Good Shepherd Baptist Church, and finally to New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. As a young man he married Mary Louise Butler Bland, who has preceded him in death, and to that union was born Ronald E. Bland. Upon graduating from high school, John enlisted in the Army and was trained as a cook. After an honorable discharge, he worked temporary jobs until his employment with the United States Postal Service where he met his future wife, Jean Howie Mahone Williams Bland, who has also preceded him in death. He believed a responsible man protected the woman he loved; so seldom did you see John without his lovely late wife Jean by his side. He felt a responsible man kept his wife happy and secure. To that you often heard him gently and lovingly say to her, “You crack the whip and I’ll make the trip”. He was a hospitable man who could cook up some southern fried chicken, a pot of mixed greens, a pan of candied yams, with slices of tomatoes and onions on the side that made any guest in his home feel like they were eating at one of Columbus’ finest restaurants. He was a quiet man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: a casual conversation with family or friends, watching a favorite TV show, or just sitting on the front porch waving ‘hello’ to anyone passing by. He was a humble man who ended each day kneeling beside his bed to say the Lord’s Prayer. Someone once said, “Never be ashamed of humble beginnings”. This holds true for the man whose life we commemorate today. A lot could be said about a man who left his hometown of Columbus, Ohio— to fight for his country and to travel the world with his late wife. A lot could be said about a man who never missed a day of work—nor was late—in his thirty-three (33) years as a Mail Handler. A lot could be said about a man who never had a major or minor traffic violation. A lot could be said about a man who worshipped the ground that his late wife walked on. A lot could be said … but words don’t come easily when you’re saying good-bye … Left to cherish his memory is two sons, Ronald E. Bland and Steven J. Bland, both of Columbus, Ohio; two daughters, Peggy A. Williams of Columbus, Ohio and Sylvia J. (Warren D.) Norris of Springfield, Ohio. He leaves grandchildren: Tyron Bland, Kevin Bland, Ebony Bland, Charles Williams IV, Jennifer Williams, and Jalin Jackson, all of Columbus, Ohio; Jahmal Bland and Nichole Bland of Duncanville, Texas; Alex Norris of Springfield, Ohio, Jason Norris of Atlanta, Georgia, Ava Willis and Cleophus Butler of Detroit, Michigan; two adopted grandchildren: Adrian Jones of Detroit, Michigan; Paul (April) Couch of Akron, Ohio; 27 great-grandchildren—of which 18 he had the pleasure of implanting some of his ‘old school wisdom’ are listed here: Melawn Bland-Booth, NaZhe’, Kayin, Isys, Isaac, Century Ann, and Mystikal Crawford Singleton, all of Columbus, Ohio; Isaiah, Charlie, RaShawn, and Savannah of Cedar Falls, Iowa; DaShawn and Dominique of Detroit, Michigan; Alexis and Zander of Newark, Ohio and Quincy of Dayton, Ohio; Taylor of Dallas, Texas, Brianna and Jalen of Atlanta, Georgia; five great-great grandchildren; five adopted great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins, other family relatives, and friends.