Monday, December 26, 2016 1:15 pm

James Wilmer Bland, 88, of Spindale, passed away Thursday, December 22, 2016.

A native of Rutherford County, he was the son of the late J.O. and Lillie Watson Bland. A retired loom fixer, James was a US Army veteran, serving in Korea, and was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Ethel Williams Bland of the home; daughter Patsy Freeman and husband Tommy of Forest City; four grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted at Mount Vernon Baptist Church with Dr. Scott Courtney, Dr. Richard Bass and Rev. Aaron Pruitt officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the Rutherford County Veterans Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 2676 Hudlow Road, Forest City, NC 28043 or Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

Crowe's Mortuary is assisting the family.