Velma Texie Bland , age 87 of Newark, OH, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark, OH. She was born in Riverton, WV on January 9, 1931 the daughter of the late Cam Lambert and Tressie (Bennett) Lambert. She was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Bland on May 4, 1998.

Velma attended Circleville High School.

Mrs. Bland is survived by: 2 daughters, Peggy Bland of Newark, OH and Billie Clark and husband, Bruce, of Hanover, OH; 2 sons, Larry Bland and wife, Barb, of Newark, OH and Terry Bland and wife, Sis, of St. Louisville, OH; 2 sisters, Ethel Bland and Letha Kisamore both of Riverton, WV; 7 grandchildren, John, Cindy, Susie, Cam-Lee, Jay, Corie, and Andy; 8 great-grandchildren, Ira, Ian, Ivana, Iralynn, Caitlin, Callie, Nathan, and Hannah; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Bland is preceded in death by: a grandson, Andy Clark; a brother, Jerry Lee Lambert and a sister, Viva Wimer.

Mrs. Bland's family will receive friends on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 6-8 PM at the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin, WV. Funeral services will be on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Riverton United Methodist Church in Riverton, WV with Elder Richard Warner officiating. Interment will be at North Fork Memorial Cemetery in Riverton. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home. All arrangements are under the direction of the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin, WV.