Graveside funeral services for Wilma Jean Bland, age 84 of Hanceville, will be conducted on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Hopewell Cemetery in Hanceville. Dr. David McGowin and Pastor Tom Richter will officiate the service.
Mrs. Bland was born on July 23, 1938, in Montgomery, Alabama to James Sticher and Lois Jackson Sticher. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Hanceville for 49 years and was currently a member of First Baptist Church Cullman. Wilma worked many years at Hanceville High School as a teacher’s aid and later went to work at Romines Apparel Store until her retirement. She was very supportive of her students that she taught all these years and loved each of them dearly. After raising her children, the grandchildren came along but was later set aside by the delight of her life, the great grandchildren.
Wilma is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Alton Bland; her two children, Kelly (Danny) Taylor and Jimmy “James” (Cindy) Bland; grandchildren, Jessica (Justin) Raper, Tyler (Jennifer) Bland, Kasey (Jake) Creel and Kristen (Eric) Searls; great grandchildren, Caleb Raper, Olivia Raper, Dalyn Bland, Anastasia Bland, Jude Creel, Lucy Creel, Max Creel, Harrison Searls and Henry Searls; sister, Betty White; niece, Glenda Nail; a host of other loving family.
The family has asked Tyler Bland, Jake Creel, Eric Searls, Justin Raper, Steve Burgett and Waid Smith to serve as pallbearers.
