Nov. 27, 1930 – Sept. 4, 2017

NEW ROADS, La. — Services and U.S. Army Military Detail for Samuel W. Bland Jr., 86, of Natchez, will be 10 a.m. today at New Fellowship Worship Center, 806 Hospital Road, New Roads, La., with the Rev. Jimmy Babin officiating.

Burial will be Wednesday at the Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary, La., under the direction of A. Wesley’s Funeral Home in Maringouin, La.

Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Mr. Bland was born Nov. 27, 1930, the son of Samuel Bland and Justine Rice.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was a lifelong member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Natchez. Sam successfully spent his remaining years as a truck driver until he retired. Sam was a loving and gentle soul.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Jessie B. Gaylor; and two brothers, Curtis Bland and Jerry Rice.

Survivors include his wife, Clara Bland of Baton Rouge; four sons, Edward D. Bland of Seattle, Keith Bland of Atlanta, Daryl Bland of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Scott Bland of LaPlace, La.; two daughters, Sandra Bland of Atlanta and Laura Nichol of Fayette; one brother, Willie Rice Sr., of Jackson; three sisters, Neotha Snyder, Vivian Wallace and Johnette Foster, all of Natchez; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; eight stepchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, daughters and sons-in-law.