Lillian Bland

Lillian Bland was affectionately called “Tiny” by family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of being close to this selfless, fearless and loving woman. Her life journey began on March 19, 1931, in Philadelphia. She was born to Ruth and Beverly Peters and lovingly raised by Godmother Lillian Hardaway. Tiny was one of 11 siblings: Beverly, Anna May, Oscar, twins Ruth and Sarah, Melford, Leonard, Sadie, Rita and Isabel. She leaves behind sisters Rita and Isabel. Tiny attended the Philadelphia school system and graduated from Kensington High School.

In 1951, she met and married the love of her life, William Bland. From this union, she had 8 children: Patsy, Darnell, Millie, Billy, Wayne, Darryle, Andrea, and Bobby. She also considered her sister Anna May’s, son “Big Joey” one of her own. William suddenly departed this life in October, 1970. Tiny, without hesitation or wallowing in her situation, took on the role of Mom and Dad, using tough, no nonsense parenting. Her kids still say today, “Tiny did not play!”. She could sling a shoe up 14 steps with a quickness; But, she also taught her children to be strong, to love Jehovah, family and others. She was a fearless advocate for her family…never hesitating to identify who was in charge, whether it was government or the school system. Mom recognized the differences in her children and parented each one with a customized touch. One of her favorite sayings was “don’t talk about it be about it”.

Sister Bland found Jehovah and was baptized in the 1960’s. Her faith was strong, with one of her consistent mantra, “All I want to do is preach!”. She became a Pioneer in 1991 and continued to do so until her mobility became a challenge.

Her own children were affectionately known as the “Bland Clan” by the neighborhood. This was primarily due to the loud rhythmic call of one of the siblings from the front screen door to the other siblings… “Patsy…Darnell…Millie…Billy…Wayne…Darryle…Bobby…Andre(a)! They were, and remain a clan.

She taught her kids to read by having Bible Study with them every Monday night. It was tough to hear that rhythmic call in the summer. Sister Bland opened her home to the neighborhood Witnesses for Bible Study on Tuesday nights. It was, again, tough to hear that rhythmic call of names in the summer. Sister Bland joined her clan with the other Witness families every Thursday night, as they walked from 33rd and Lehigh Avenue to the Kingdom Hall on 26th street. And yes, it was tough to hear that rhythmic call of names in preparation for the weekly pilgrimage. For those that were old enough, she prepped them on Friday nights for Field Service on Saturday mornings, and on Sundays, her clan again joined with other Witness families for Sunday service at the Hall. There were no options in learning the Word of Jehovah. She was a strict loving Mother, who insisted on establishing that base of faith with her children.

One of the first, if not the first in the city of Philadelphia, Tiny worked for the US Post Office as a mail carrier. She retired at an early age to spend time with her family. In looking for intellectual and physical activities for her own children, she recognized that those activities had to be sought out, or structured for all kids, with the city providing the funding. In Strawberry Mansion, she was considered a “Mayor” of sorts, as she did not hesitate to develop and use connections in City Hall to provide a lunch program for community kids during the summer. She organized family bus excursions to the King’s Dominion Amusement park (in Virginia). In teaching her boys and interested girls how to throw and catch a baseball, she realized that there needed to be an organized team in the community, with uniforms, trophies and coaches. Through that recognition, the Douglas Street All-Star Team (later became the Muntu All-Starts) was established. She forever changed the lives of many North Philadelphia youth by giving them love and something to look forward to. Miss Bland, as some called her, made certain that her children along with the children of the neighborhood always had something to be a part of…keeping them out of trouble.

In order to keep her children busy in the spring and summer, Tiny opened up an Italian water ice stand in front of the house, where any child that could count, had a shift. The joke about that stand was that her kids ate, or gave away all profit by treating their friends to free water ice. Yet, she opened up a stand year after year.

Tiny, Miss Tiny, Sister Bland, Miss Bland, Mom loved to preach, give, laugh and dance. She will be missed by her sisters, children, and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.