Garland R. Bland, Jr. Obituary (1977 - 2019)

Garland Ray Bland, Jr., was born August 4, 1977, in Richmond, Virginia, to Gail and Garland Bland, Sr. He was the first born of three children. Garland, Jr. was educated in Richmond Public Schools. He was a graduate of Huguenot High School, and also attended J. Sergeant Reynolds, in Richmond. He joined Second Baptist Church at an early age and faithfully attended Sunday School. For over thirteen years, Garland was employed with the United States Postal Service, where he served as a mail carrier. He took great pride in his job and made sure everyone of his customers was very well taken care of. Garland carried himself in a professional manner and handled each package with care. His customers thought of him as more than just a mail carrier. They thought of him as a friend. In the summer of 1998 Garland, Jr., met the love of his life, Joy Denise Hembrick. After ten years of dating they decided to become one. They were married on July 26, 2008 and started their new life together. Out of that union came two beautiful daughters, Cherish Raynise and Cameron Mariah. Garland truly adored and loved his girls with all his heart, and they loved and adored him right back. His whole mission in life was to make sure his family never wanted for anything. Garland, Jr., loved fishing and hunting with his dad and enjoyed their ritual of hunting for half a day every Thanksgiving. Garland, Jr., also enjoyed making sure his mother always had a ride to and from church. That was their special time spent together. He also enjoyed spending time with his girls, play fighting, having dance-offs and cooking together. Garland, Jr., and his youngest loved shopping for candy and toys. Cameron would always say her dad was the only one that knew where the toy store was. Whenever there was a headline fight (boxing), Garland, Jr., made sure his house was the house to be at for the festivities. Garland, Jr., was well known for his love of sneakers and made sure his and his daughters' shoe game was always tight. Garland, Jr., was blessed with a kidney from one of his closest friends, Brandon Harris. After being a kidney recipient, he made it his business to bless others as much as he was blessed in life and after life. Garland, Jr., departed this life on Thursday, April 18, 2019. He leaves to celebrate his life and cherish his memory: his devoted wife of ten years, Joy Denise Bland; two loving daughters, Cherish Raynise Bland and Cameron Mariah Bland; his loving parents, Gail and Garland Bland, Sr.; one devoted brother, Tremayne C. Bland; one devoted sister, Shanta' M. Bland; father and mother-in-law, Anthony and Dorothy Hembrick; brother-in-law, Kelvin A. Langhorne (Arleen); devoted sister-in-law, Latishaia M. Langhorne; two godchildren, Jaquan Williams and Joshua J. Langhorne; a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins; and a multitude of devoted friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11 AM at Second Baptist Church, 3300 Broad Rock Blvd. Interment Chester Grove Church Cemetery, Amelia Co., VA.