James Meador Bland, Sr.

James Meador Bland, Sr. (Jimmie), passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, March 20, 2026. Born on April 18, 1930, in Plainview, VA, Jimmie moved to Dinwiddie County, VA, at the age of 13. He was the son of the late Pattie Grant and Joseph Cleveland Bland.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Alice Royster Bland. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Jean B. Stallings, Joseph G. Bland, Ann B. Cunningham, Hunter B. Hamill, and John W. Bland.

He is survived by his daughter, Tamara Bland Howerton (Chuck); two sons, James Meador Bland, Jr. (Lynne) and Hunter Scott Bland (Trisha); four grandchildren, Charles Grant Howerton (Megan), Jordan Blake Howerton, Hannah Nicole Bland (Nick Gomez), and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Leigh Bland; great-grandchildren, William Bland Howerton and Elizabeth (Ella) Grace Howerton.

A special thanks to caregivers Connie Claiborne and Tasha Reid, the staff at Amedisys Home Hospice Care, especially Tyrini Hall, and the staff at Dunlop Assisted Living Care.

Jimmie was a member and a trustee of Kenwood United Methodist Church, where he and his wife Mary Alice were the first couple married there. Jimmie was a Korean War veteran, a civil service employee at Fort Lee for 38 years, and co-owner of Bland and Ponder Texaco from 1960–1976.

He was a founding and lifetime member of the Namozine Volunteer Fire Department from 1953–1986. Jimmie eventually served as Battalion Chief and was awarded Firefighter of the Year in 1970. He was an active member and trustee of Gerow Ruritan Club, Stew Master, Sergeant at Arms, and two-time Ruritan of the Year, as well as maintained perfect attendance for 47 years.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., and the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, at Kenwood United Methodist Church, 25200 Ritchie Ave., North Dinwiddie, VA 23803. Interment will follow at Southlawn Memorial Park, 1911 Birdsong Rd., Petersburg, VA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kenwood United Methodist Church at 25200 Ritchie Ave., North Dinwiddie, VA 23803, or to the Namozine Volunteer Fire & EMS Company.