Arthur "Randolph" Bland, Sr. (Age 88) of Bryans Road, Maryland.

Obituary

Arthur "Randolph" Bland, Sr. was the sixth of eight children born to the late Arthur Harry Bland and Mary Alice (Johnson) Bland. He was born in Bryans Road, Maryland on December 8, 1927. He entered into eternal rest on March 22, 2016, at Fort Washington Medical Center, Fort Washington, Maryland.

With his unions with Rena J. (Winters) Bland and the late Ruth E. (Washington Bland) Mayo, he was blessed to become a devoted and loving father to Arthur R. Bland, Jr., Harold E. Bland, Charlain L. Bland, Pierre D. Bland, Sr., Padra A. Bland, Desiree L. (Bland) Bolden, Randal A. Bland, Sr. and the late Avon L. Bland and Iris O. Bland. Randolph also accepted Charleen (Swann) Kearney as his daughter and Elmer Jackson as a son.

At an early age he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Randolph was a member of his family's home church Macedonia Baptist Church in Bryans Road, Maryland. He served on the Trustee Board for several years, under the pastoralship of the Reverends William H. Scott and George A. Hayes. He attended Charles County Public Schools. He was a dedicated and exemplary employee with the National Park Service for over 50 years. Randolph was known for his precision of craftsmanship in brick masonry both in his career and personal life.

Living by the values instilled in him by his parents of "Serving God and Giving Him Time", Randolph was instrumental in restoring his church after it was damaged by fire and its subsequent expansion. For many years Randolph worked his normal workday and came home and devoted time to the church by: cutting grass, cleaning up the grounds, painting, repairing bricks and performing any other tasks that needed to be done.

Family values that he instilled in his children, grandchildren and many others taught self-respect and always doing your best in achieving your goals and aspirations. One of his favorite past times was spending time with his immediate and extended family. He was so selfless and had such a strong love and belief in family, he was held in high regards as the head patriarch by many family members. Everyone knew they could call upon and depend on Randolph. He enjoyed good fellowship, food, playing bid whist, and laughing with family and friends. Randolph enjoyed dancing and all genres of music ranging from gospel, the blues and jazz to the good old Motown hits. He also had a strong affinity for politics and sports specifically baseball and boxing. When you visited his home, his television was always tuned to the local news, CNN or ESPN. This was a great segue for him to engage you for extended periods of time with conversations regarding politics, world news, and sports.

Randolph was charitable like his parents and opened his home to many individuals who needed a place to stay or a helping hand. He became known as "Daddy", "Granddad" and "Uncle" to many. His strong work ethic was also evident in his personal life. To ensure his family was given the best he could provide, he became entrepreneurial with his brick masonry skills, by taking on jobs throughout the community. He assisted with masonry and concrete work for new construction and additions to many homes as well as designing and building brick barbeque pits and flowerbeds. Until he started aging, he also took great pride in building and renovating his personal residence. As if this was not enough to keep him busy, Randolph also pursued raising livestock and gardening. For many years he raised cattle, pigs and turkeys while maintaining a massive vegetable garden. He ensured goods were canned and his freezer and pantry were stocked all year long. He shared his fruits of labor with his siblings, other family members, and friends. Randolph's strong work ethic would later become evident in his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents Arthur H. and Mary A. Bland; his brothers Owen H. Bland ("Pop") and James "Delbert" Bland, his sisters Alberta O. (Bland) Dyson, Blanche I. (Bland) King, Orlean M. (Bland) Smith, Aleatha L. (Bland) Dixon; and his brothers in law Andrew "Alexander" Dyson, Raymond King, Joseph Smith and George Dixon; his sister in law Ethel L (Pitt) Bland; special nephews Harold "Bubba" Dyson and Edward "Danny" Smith Sr.; special nieces Bertha M. (Smith) Dyson and Monica L. (Bland) Harris and his beloved children Avon L. Bland and Iris O. Bland.

Randolph leaves to cherish his loving memories along with his children, his sister Alice "Eudora" (Bland) Chisley; sister in law Eleanor (Butler) Bland; first cousin Geraldine (Johnson) Woodland); brother in law Thomas "Phillip" Chisley; his daughters in law Cynthia (late Avon), Kathleen (Padra) and Kimberly (Randal Sr.) Bland, Michelle Proctor (Arthur Jr.); his sons in law John Gudger (Charlain) and James Chesley (Desiree); his grandchildren Rita Mack, Danell (late Wendy) Bland, Brenard (Jewell) Bland, Elroy "Duran" Winters, Dujunnea (Stephanie) Bland, Jassiel (Rebecca) Bland, Pierre D. Bland, Jr., Erica (Robert) Kennedy, Ralph Parker IV, Randal "Avery" Bland, Jr., Brian A. Bland, Randolph "James" Bland and Leah Bland. He also accepted Christine "Penny" Scott as his granddaughter. His great grandchildren Duran D. Winters, Stephon Coleman, Shaquille Coleman, Sean Coleman, Shawn Tania Coleman, Antonia Chaivs, Ka'Mari Calloway, Leah Blaydes, Destiny Bailey, Jailynn Bland, Kameryn Kennedy, Elijah Bland and Avonlea Bland; special nieces Everdene Jordan, Kimberly Bland, Joyce (King) Pearson and a host of other nephews, nieces, family and friends who truly loved him.

Randolph was a loving father, father in law, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, brother in law and uncle who will forever live on in our hearts.

Viewing, 9 a.m. until time of Service, 11 a.m., Saturday, April 2, 2016 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640. Interment, Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery, Bryans Road, Maryland.