Bernice Ethel (Taylor) Bland

Ms. Bernice Ethel Taylor Bland, affectionally known as “Senior” was born in Chatham County on April 6th, 1933. She was born to Spencer and Susie Headen Taylor.
She transitioned into eternal rest at her home on Monday, November 15th, 2021 at the age of 88.

She was the younger of 5 siblings. Once reaching school age she attended the Chatham County School System and graduated from Goldston Colored High School (later known as J.S. Waters) on May 22, 1950.

In 1950 she married the love of her life Billy W. Bland and with this union, four children were born. They lived in Chatham County then later moved to Sanford in the early 1970s.
She was employed at Cornell Dubilier Co. of Sanford for 14 years. At 45 years old after raising her family she returned to school to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a NURSE. She graduated from Central Carolina Community College with a Licensed Practical Nursing degree in 1979, the same year she was licensed as a nurse by the state she began her career with the Convalescent Center until her retirement in 1999. She continued caring for others by doing in-home health care for the next 7 years.

During her youth, she was a faithful member of Taylor’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. After getting married and relocating to Sanford, NC she joined First Calvary Baptist Church where she was a faithful member for 20 plus years. She taught the senior Sunday school class and was the church’s secretary for several years. After fulfilling her duties at First Calvary her spiritual growth lead her to New Zion Missionary Baptist Church where she was a faithful member for several years. Once fulfilling her duties at New Zion she later decided in her latter years to return to where it all began, TAYLORS CHAPEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Billy, her daughter Belinda, sons Johnathan and Kenneth Bland, her siblings Patience Knight, Delois McLaughlin, Robert Taylor, and Hayes Taylor.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter Karen E. Bland of Sanford, N.C., a brother-in-law Macy McLaughlin of Red Springs NC. Grandchildren Kimberly Bland of Sanford N.C., Kevin Bland (Melanie) of San Antonio, TX, Audrey Bland of Sanford NC, Kendra Bland-Hooker (Rodney) of Sanford NC, Tonya Bland of Sanford NC, Chelsea Bland of Sanford, NC, and Jalen Bland of Sanford NC. Great-grandchildren Deanna Bland of Sanford NC, Brianna Bland of Sanford, N.C., Jarrel Horton of Raleigh NC, Tiara Bland of Sanford NC, Kyleigh Haynes of Sanford NC, Elijah Swann of Sanford NC, Jaden Bland of San Antonio TX, Julia Bland of San Antonio TX, Hannah Swann of Sanford NC, And Kayden Bland of Sanford NC, also a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends that loved her dearly.
 

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home- Sanford