Afton C. Bland, age 81, of Jacksonville, FL died Sunday January 11th, 2015 at Community Hospice in Jacksonville after an extended illness. She was a native of Bacon County but had lived in Jacksonville the past 50 years. She was daughter of the late Joe Gordon Carter and Mildred Davis Carter and was preceded in death by her husband, Qunith Lloyd Bland, a son, Henry Bland, daughter, Ann Hennigar, brother, Allard Carter, sister, Freda Smith and a grandson, Chris Bland. Afton was a retired school bus driver and a member of Corinth Free Will Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Dereck Bland, Thomas Bland, three daughters, Pam Hyatt, Judy Jones (Alan), Karen Kissick (Dale) all of Jacksonville, a brother, Gary Carter of Brunswick, two sisters, Gwen Carter of Alma, Glenda Sigurnjak of Ocean Springs, MS., eight grandchildren, Richard, Angie, Chad, Bryan, Clay, Matthew, Andrew and Jason. Also 4 great-grandchildren survive.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 o'clock at Corinth Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Joshua Horton officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be carried to the church Saturday at 10:00 AM to lie in state. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home Friday evening between 6 and 9 P M.

Active pallbearers will be, Bryan Jones, Richard Bessent, Chad Hennigar, Jason Kissick, Clay Bland and Blake Kildow. All others in attendance will be considered as honorary.

Crosby Funeral Home is in charge of all the arrangements.