Cora McAllister Bland

Cora McAllister Bland, 94, died Tuesday, December 31, 2013, in Amarillo.

Services were held Thursday, January 2, 2014, at Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Dave Stout, pastor of the Howardwick First Baptist Church and with Rev. Jim Powell, pastor of the Hobart Baptist Church in Pampa, officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Cora was born December 31, 1919, in Jayton, Kent Co., Texas to Andrew Kelly and Eunice Parnell McAllister. She married Henry Bland on March 19, 1943, in Lubbock, Texas. Mrs. Bland moved from Dickens Co. to Clarendon in January of 1971. She had been a housewife, enjoyed cooking, and loved to crochet and read. Cora was also a member of the Disabled Veterans Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary. She was a charter member of the Howardwick First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her father in 1954 and by her mother in 1920; her husband on September 4, 1999; by 2 brothers, Julian Wayne McAllister in 1916, Bob Edd McAllister in 1942; by 2 half-brothers, J.W. and Clyde McAllister; and by a half-sister, Fannie Lou Richard.

She is survived by 2 sons, Albert Kelly Bland and wife Cherrie and Donald Gene Bland and wife Judy, both of Amarillo; by a loving friend whom she considered a son, Rev. Robert Griffin and wife Faye of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 5 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and by 2 great-great grandchildren.

The family suggests that memorials be to the Howardwick Baptist Church.