CORINTH, MS - Lt. Colonel Jacob Lenier Bland, 91, died January 9, 2021 at StoneRidge Assisted Living. Due to the pandemic a memorial service we be held at a later date.
Jake was born in Vanceboro, N.C. At age nine and following the death of his father he and his siblings moved to the Methodist Home for Children in Raleigh, N.C. After graduating high school, he entered the Air Force and began his military career first as an airplane mechanic and later advancing to command pilot. While stationed at Columbus Air Force Base he met his future wife Edith, a student at MUW. After being transferred to Virginia he regularly flew back to Columbus to visit his love. They were married in 1956 in Jackson, MS. He attended Mississippi State University obtaining a Bachelor of Accountancy. After a few years working as an accountant, Jake followed his passion for flying and joined the Mississippi Air National Guard as the base safety officer and pilot, flying many missions to Vietnam and throughout the world. His greatest joy during his 21 years with the guard might have been when he flew together with his son Jeff, who had followed his father into an aviation career. After retiring from the guard, Jake continued to fly commercial airplanes for another 17 years.
While living in Jackson, MS, Jake was a member of St. James Episcopal church. After moving to Corinth to be closer to family, Jake became a member at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He was known for his warm smile and friendliness. He was always willing to do what needed to be done and amazed many with his "fix it" abilities. Jake loved turkey hunting and crappie fishing and enjoyed them even more when he could go with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Bland and Roxie Bland Hardee, his son Jeff Bland, his wife Edith Sanford Bland, and his siblings Dick Bland, Bill Bland, and Lois Bland Smith.
He is survived by his son Arthur "Buddy" Bland (Tami) of Knoxville, TN, his daughter Beth Bland Bauer (Scott) of Corinth, MS, and his daughter-in-law Catherine Doan Bland of Germantown,TN. He is also survived by his grandchildren Wesley Bland (Julie) of Austin, TX, Brian Bland-Clark (Katelyn) of Cornwall, NY, Kathryn Bland of Knoxville, TN, Evan Bauer (Florence) of Gluckstadt, MS, David Bauer of Corinth, MS, Susannah Bland of Germantown, TN, and Sarah Beth Bland of Germantown, TN. Jake is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Eli Bland, Addie Bland, Avery Bland-Clark, and Jackson Bauer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Methodist Home for Children, 1041 Washington Street, Raleigh, NC 27605 or online at www.mhfc.org.
