Betty Jewel Bland

Betty Jewel Bland, 80, of Jonesboro, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was born June 19, 1937 in Jerusalem, Arkansas, a daughter of William Jefferson and Pliney Mary Elizabeth Branscum Bryant. She was the granddaughter of Thomas and Sarah Ann Garrison Bryant, and John Jackson and Alice Rose Branscum.

Betty was of the Jehovah’s Witness faith, Jonesboro Congregation. She was baptized in the summer of 1961. She moved to Jonesboro in 1976 from Flushing, Michigan. She was the owner/operator of Country Home Crafts, a professional seamstress for Fashion Nook and many other companies. She sold her wares and antiquities she recreated at the 49 South Antique Mall for 20+ years. Gardening was a passion, however her greatest accomplishment was her children. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Millard Pickens Bland; her siblings, Lillmon, Marville, Bonnie, Lillian, Hazel, Wilburn, Ruth, Johnnie and Bobby.

Survivors include her six children, daughter, Brenda Bland Lewis (Rick) of Jonesboro; son, Steven Bland (Vicki) of Eads, Tennessee; son, Gary Bland (Kimberly) of Cordova, Tennessee; daughter, Kimberly Bland Garton (Michael) of Punta Gorda, Florida; son, Philip Bland (Leigh Ann) of Cordova; Tracy Bland Baker (Gene) of Jonesboro; sixteen grandchildren, Harley Sewell III (Tammy), Alissa Sewell McCallister (Jeremy), Jordan Bland (Sara), Christopher Sewell (Shelley), Kelli Bland Newman (Will), Madison Garton Johns (Jeremiah), Morgan Jade Baker, Keatyn Garton Taylor (Dana), Colten Baker, Jacob Bland, Faith Bland, Kaiden Bland, Carson Bland, Colby Bland, Dalton Elliott and Cody Elliott; eight great grandchildren, Hannah Sewell, Hayley Sewell, Kameron Johns, Riley Bland, Emma McCallister, HadiMae Sewell, Axel Taylor and Sadie Newman; sister, Dean Mangrum of Niles, Michigan; numerous nieces and nephews.

Public visitation will be Saturday, June 24, 2017 from 1:00 until 2:00 at Emerson Funeral Home. Public graveside burial service will follow at 2:30 PM, Saturday, at Nettleton Cemetery with Gene Baker officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Will Newman, Roy Mangrum, Brian Hines, and Jeremiah Johns. To sign an online registry, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.

Gramma Dolly, “You are my sunshine!”