James Wilmer Bland, 88, of Spindale, died Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Hospice House. 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; grandchildren, Howard Harton, Katy Harton, Trevor Freeman and Leigh Ann Freeman.

Funeral services will be conducted 2PM, Monday, December 26, 2016 at Mount Vernon Baptist Church with Dr. Scott Courtney, Dr. Richard Bass and Rev. Aaron Pruitt officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the Rutherford County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

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.