Dorothy Geane Bland

Dorothy G. Bland 81, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away on Jan. 6, 2017. She was the best mama and granny in the world to her family. She will always be known for her unconditional love, strong work ethic, Christian faith, great cooking and gardening skills. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Janie Freeman; brothers, Thornton "T.B.", John "June" Jr. and Charles Freeman; sisters, Demple McCray and Malvertis Woolfolk; two infant children, Dorothy Lee Bland and Larry James Bland. Mrs. Bland is survived by six children, Pat (Ken) Cross, Catherine (Richard) Donald, Lee (Sheila) Bland, Dorothy M. Bland, Veronica Bland and Larry D. Bland. Other survivors include her two sisters, Janie (Willie) Thomas and Juana Dockett as well as 21 grandchildren and more than 30 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Viewing will be Friday, January 13, 2017, 3-5 p.m., at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 South Chester St., Little Rock, Ark. (501) 372-1305. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, 12 noon, at the Greater Macedonia Baptist Church, 600 E. 24th St., Little Rock, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her honor to the Dorothy G. Bland Memorial Scholarship Fund at Greater Macedonia Baptist Church or the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Foundation.