Harold (Tommy) Bland

Harold T. Bland, youngest son of (late) Bishop J.D. Bland and Mother Evangelist Thelma Bland, was born on August 4, 1955 in Baltimore, Maryland. He departed this life on January 18, 2005.He received his education at Edmondson High School, Baltimore, Maryland, graduating in 1973. Harold moved to Roxbury, Mass in 1979, to continue his education at the Roxbury Community College, furthered his studies at the Northeastern University, Boston, Mass, 1980-1981, and his completion in 2002 with the Community Builders, Plumley Village, Worchester, Mass.While in Boston, Massachusetts, Harold attended the Holy Tabernacle Church, under the leadership of the (late) Bishop R. Smith.Harold was self-employed for a number of years, installing and repairing doors, windows, staircases, ceilings, roofing, chimneys and walls, prepared and painted all flat surfaces and performed minor electrical repairs work. In 1992-1994, he became employed with the Old Mill Developers, Inc., in West Boylston, Mass, then transferred to the Companate Painting Company, from 1994-1998 in Leicester, Mass, and from 1997-2001 employed as Building Maintenance Contractor for the Ome Realty Company in Worcester, Mass. Harold lived in Worcester, Mass for a number of years and returned to Baltimore in 2003, becoming self-employed.His Christian education included the following: Membership at early age in the Church of God in Christ Jesus, New Deal, Inc. under the leadership of the (late) Bishop H. L. McBride and Mother L. McBride. In 1963 he joined the establishment of the Second Diocese Mission of the Church of God in Christ Jesus, New Deal, and Inc. under the leadership of the (late) Bishop J.D. Bland (his father). Harold played the drums, the piano and was an active member of the Junior Choir, and active member of the Bland Singers, and active member of the Sunday school Department and active member of YPWW, Young People Willing to Work Training Union.Harold later joined the First United Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic, 3400 Copley Road, with his family the Blands in 1968, under the leadership of Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Sr. He became an active member of the Junior High Sunday School and Young People’s Training Union. Upon his return to Baltimore, Maryland, Harold rejoined his family the Blands in attending the Transformation Church of Jesus Christ under the leadership of Bishop Monroe R. Saunders, Jr. Harold’s last attendance in service was Sunday, January 16, 2005. Harold always cherished his upraising of Christian education, and would often recall and talk about his church experiences and fellowship of the First United Church of Jesus Christ, (at 3400 Copley Road), the church of God in Christ New Deal, Inc and Holy Tabernacle. Harold T. Bland is the 12th of 13 children. His father (Bishop J.D. Bland) preceded Harold in death. He leaves to mourn his children, Thomas Jerrod, Tenere Lanette, Symone Malisa; a friend, Doris; Mother Evangelist Thelma Matthews Bland, (his beloved Mother); five brothers, Ellis D. (Dorchester, Mass), Freddie D., Theodore., James T. (Jim), Johnnie T. (Baltimore, Maryland), seven sisters, Helen (Boston, Mass), Vivian, Doris, Evelyn, Ometha, Deborah (Maryland and surrounding counties), Janice (Milton, Mass); brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, two aunts: Mrs. Ethel Walker (Boston, Mass), Mrs. Gertrude Knight (Mitcheville, Maryland), one uncle, Mr. Luke Matthews (Flint, Michigan); a host of nieces and nephews, a host of great nieces and nephews, a host of great- great nieces and nephews, a host of cousins, other relatives and friends, and (all devoted family members). Harold T. Bland “Tommy” as he was called by many was a very humorous and joking person. To have known him, is to have loved him.We will miss him very dearly,The Family

Tributes

Harold (Tommy) Bland

August 4, 1955 - January 18, 2005