Willa "Dean" Bland

Willa Dean Bland, age 89, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026, at Brooken Hill Health and Rehabilitation in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born on February 18, 1936, in Gideon, Missouri, to the late Leonard Threadgill and Velma (Williams) Threadgill.

Dean attended high school in Clarkton, Missouri, and later Dean pursued her calling in nursing school. On December 25, 1953, she married the love of her life, Wayne Bland, beginning a blessed marriage of 72 years. Their love story began humbly in a cotton field, where Wayne and Dean met picking cotton - an origin she always carried with pride.

Dean devoted her professional life to caring for others. Dean began her nursing career at Sparks Hospital and later continued at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center. Her career expanded as she worked as both nurse and business manager for Dr. Hewitt, before moving over to Available Medical Care Clinic in Fort Smith. After several years of service, she went on to open Quarry Clinic until her well-earned retirement. Throughout her career, Dean was known for her strong work ethic, compassion, and dedication to her patients.

Outside of work, Dean found joy in tending to her flower garden, especially her beloved sunflowers. She also enjoyed sewing and cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and her close circle of church friends. A devoted member of First Baptist Church of Fort Smith for many years, Dean faithfully served the church by teaching children’s Bible study on Wednesday nights through the Awanas program. Dean will be remembered as a hardworking woman with a warm and friendly spirit, deeply passionate about her faith and her calling in nursing. She was highly respected both in her profession and within her church community.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 73 years, Wayne Bland; three children, Michael Wayne Bland, Tim Bland and wife Lynn, and Scott Bland and wife Kippy; four grandchildren, Katie Lynn Bland and fiancé Zac Houston, Jacob Bland and wife Delphie, Kirby Bland and fiancé Casey Robelot, and Jody Wayne Bland and wife Sharon; two great-grandchildren, Atley Renee Bland and Henry Dean Bland; and her brother, Donald Threadgill of Memphis, Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Velma Threadgill; two sisters; and one brother.

An open viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Lewis Funeral Chapel. Family and friends are invited to come and pay their respects. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, also at Lewis Funeral Chapel, with interment to follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Pastor Eli Leslie will officiate. Services are entrusted to Lewis Funeral Chapel.
 

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