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2013 SESSION

13104637D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 158
Offered February 6, 2013
Celebrating the life of Doris Yvette Bouldin Bland.
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Patron-- Dance
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WHEREAS, Doris Yvette Bouldin Bland, a beloved educator, a devout Christian, and a respected co-owner of Bland Enterprises, Inc., in Petersburg, died on January 17, 2013; and

WHEREAS, born in New York City, Doris Bland relocated to Chesterfield County to live with her grandparents when she was 12 years old; and

WHEREAS, Doris Bland received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia State University; and

WHEREAS, Doris Bland began her career in education as a student teacher at Peabody Middle School and at Virginia State University; and

WHEREAS, Doris Bland joined the Chesterfield County Public Schools system as a second-grade teacher at Ettrick Elementary School; Doris Bland cared deeply for her students and was known as many students’ favorite teacher; and

WHEREAS, after a 10-year teaching career, Doris Bland followed a new calling; she earned an associate degree from John Tyler Community College and joined the family business as a funeral director with Bland Enterprises, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, later becoming the co-owner of the company, Doris Bland excelled as a funeral director, treating every family with care and respect; she joined the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the Virginia Morticians Association, and the Southside Virginia Funeral Directors Association; and

WHEREAS, Doris Bland served the community in many organizations, including as a member of the Petersburg alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., past president of the Appomattox chapter of the American Business Women’s Association, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, devoting herself to Christianity early in life, Doris Bland went on to serve as the first lady of First Baptist Church in Waverly and had been serving as the first lady of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Petersburg; and

WHEREAS, always ready with a warm greeting, a comforting word of encouragement, or a beautiful song, Doris Bland touched countless lives in the Chesterfield County area; and

WHEREAS, Doris Bland is survived by her devoted husband, Reverend William N. Bland, Jr., loving children, William III, Nickia, and Velita, and their families; and many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Doris Yvette Bouldin Bland, a caring educator, a devout Christian, and a respected business owner; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Doris Yvette Bouldin Bland as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for her memory.