Mrs. Bland was born in Grantsville, West Virginia on October 22, 1932. She was the daughter of the late Roscoe Smith, and Elzie and W.F. Hubbard. She married Vurl Emeory Bland on November 1, 1949 in West Virginia. Glenda worked as a homemaker, as a military thrift store volunteer, at Texas Instruments, at the Cameron University library, at a shoe store, doing volunteer work to rehabilitate prisoners, working at Job Corp, and working as a social worker helping children.  

She earned her bachelors degree in sociology and criminal justice when she was in her 40’s. She was a preacher’s wife. She is best known as a devoted mother. She insisted that her children know the love of Jesus Christ and get an education. She faithfully served in the total care of her daughter, Elaine until her death at age 40. Elaine had arthrogryposis multiplexcongenita. Elaine was severely physically disabled, but Glenda assisted and inspired Elaine as well as all of her children to succeed. Elaine earned a masters degree in social work and became a social worker, thanks be to God and the devotion of Glenda.

 She will be best remembered for her love for God and people. She recounted her fond memories at age nine when she sang praises to God in her cathedral of sunflowers on Bear Mountain in West Virginia. She loved God’s word, writing, photography, oil painting, gardening, fluffy animals of all kinds, making yeast rolls, reading, writing, and singing. Her philosophy was to love everyone and smile at them and see the beauty in each soul that God created. You could always count on an effervescent smile from Glenda.  

She had many challenges in life and in her later years; she struggled with dementia, but she continued to smile and love everyone she met. With a nod of agreement and illuminated eyes, she praised God and loved people until her last breath!  Her parting words would be “Trust in God! He is faithful!”

She is survived by her children, Vurlenda Hill and her husband, Ernie of Ector, Vurl Emeory Bland III and his wife Sure of North Richland Hills, Vonda Hamilton and her husband Steven of Bonham. Grandchildren, April Hull and her husband Steve, Major Aaron Hill and his wife, Amanda, Andres Burnett, Selah Joy Burnett, and Cloudi Bland, Great Grandchildren, Andrew Groneck, Logan Hull, Sydney Hull, Isaac “Ike” Hill, and Zachary Hull. Sister- Irene Felton and her husband, Bob,. Brother Thomas Smith and wife, Glenda Mae. Her nieces and nephew, Rosa Lee Serra, Anna Weaver, Sharon Spadafore, Max Corley, and Terri Roach.  

The family encourages people to donate to Alzheimer’s research in her honor. Glenda lived in West Virginia, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Frankfurt, Germany, and Texas. Wherever her home you would find her singing praises to God. She delighted people with her yodeling. Now she is in her heavenly home, yodeling for and praising her King!