Dr. Donald E. Bland, widower of Mrs. Sonia Sheffield Bland, died November 12, 2007, in the comfort of his childhood home with his children at his side. Dr. Bland was born September 16, 1928, the son of Dr. Arthur Bryant Bland and Eva Jones Bland.

As a child, Dr. Bland received his Eagle Scout at age 13, and at that time he became the youngest boy in the United States to receive that honor. He graduated from Clement High School in Wallace and attended Wake Forest College in Wake Forest. He received a B.S. degree Cum Laude in Chemistry in 1949 and was an original charter founder of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He graduated from the UNC School of Dentistry with a D.D.S. degree in 1955 and entered the U.S. Air Force to serve in the dental corps in Japan as a captain. Upon completing his service in November 1957, he joined the dental practice of his father, Dr. A.B. Bland and went on to earn his fellowship degree in the Academy of General Dentistry and be a member of the prestigious DeMeritt Study Club. In l979 he received a Distinguished Service Award from the N.C. Society of Dentistry for Children. He was well-known for putting his patients at ease by singing to them while he worked. He also served as a member of the advisory board for Branch Bank and Trust for many years.

Dr. Bland was known for his love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his comprehensive knowledge of the Bible and its scriptures. He grew up in the First Baptist Church of Wallace and was a men's Bible study teacher there for more than 20 years. Most recently, he proudly became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Wallace. Dr. Bland ministered to many people through his work and his church. He was especially proud of his missionary dental work in Mexico and Guatemala.

Dr. Bland had a keen, yet subtle, sense of humor and was loved and respected by many. An avid golfer, he will especially miss and be missed by his golfing buddies. His memory will live on through the lives of all those to whom he has touched and ministered.

He is survived by his children, Dr. Donald Sheffield Bland of Wilmington, Mr. Edwin Lincoln Bland (Rosalie) of Winston-Salem, and Sonia Bland Taylor (Harry) of Wilmington. He was blessed with eight grandchildren: Gabriel Sheffield Bland, Tiago Granville Bland, Ida Ragsdale Bland, Edwin Lincoln Bland, Jr., Frederick Sinclair Hill Bland, Spencer Craven Taylor, Eva Kathleen Taylor and Simone Olivia Taylor. He is also survived by his mother-in -law, Mrs. Granville Lincoln Sheffield, of Rose Hill, N.C.

The family will receive visitors from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14, at his home, 415 E. Main St. in Wallace. The graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, at Rockfish Memorial Cemetery, after which a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Wallace Presbyterian Church officiated by the Rev. Dr. Philip Gladden and the Rev. Dr. Charles Love.

Casketbearers will be Robert Johnson, John Horne, Herbert Cannady, Jerry Hamm, Charlie Wood and Douglas Knowles.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Carolina East Home Care & Hospice, Inc. P.O. Box 887 Kenansville, NC 28349.