LILLIAN WOOTEN BLAND
Aug. 18, 1927-July 5, 2010
Lillian Wooten Bland, 82, of Goldsboro, died peacefully on July 5, 2010, while vacationing with her family in Atlantic Beach.
Lillian was born on Aug.18, 1927, in Greenville, where she graduated from high school in 1945 as senior class president, valedictorian, and editor of the high school newspaper. She entered Duke University, where she majored in English literature, graduating in 1949. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She earned a Master's in English literature from East Carolina in 1977.
Lillian and Powell Bland were married in 1954 and she moved to his hometown of Goldsboro, where Powell practiced law. Together, they raised three children, Pattie, Powell and William.
Lillian was active in family, civic and church activities throughout her life. She was the first female Senior Warden at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. She was a beloved longtime leader of Girl Scout Troop 32. She served as chairman of the local committee of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of North Carolina. As a Wayne County Library Board trustee, Lillian worked together with many local leaders to build the library at its present location on Ash Street. She was the first chairman of the Foundation of Wayne Community College, continuing to fulfill the dream of her late husband.
Lillian treasured her many friendships. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed bringing people together for food and fellowship. She will be missed by many.
Lillian was predeceased by her husband, Powell, who died in 1985, and her brother, John, who died in 2004. She is survived by her children, Pattie White and husband, David, of Darlington, S.C.; Powell Bland, of Denver, Colo.; and William Bland and wife, Ellen, of Goldsboro; her five grandchildren, Lillian, Louise and Sonora White, and Jeff and Lucy Bland; and her brother, William (Billy) Wooten and wife, Donna, and sister-in-law Harriet Wooten, of Greenville, and many dear Wooten and Bland nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 200 N. James St., in Goldsboro, with burial following at Willowdale Cemetery.
The family will receive friends and family at Lillian's home in Goldsboro throughout the week and from 6 to 9 p.m. this evening. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wayne County Public Library, 1001 E. Ash St., the Foundation of Wayne Community College, P.O. Box 8002, or to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 200 N. James St., all of Goldsboro.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on July 8, 2010 1:47 PM