Obituary of Thomassina S. Bland
Thomassina Suzette Bland, nee Rofe, was born July 6, 1955 in New York, New York to the late Thomas and Susie Blakes-Rofe. She departed this life suddenly on December 21, 2017.
Thomassina or “Twit” as her beloved father and family members called her, was raised in West Atco, NJ and was educated in the Winslow Township school system. Upon graduating from the then Edgewood Regional High School, she continued her education at Camden County Community College. As a child, Thomassina attended Greater Calvary Baptist Church and was baptized by the late Rev. A. R. Kelly. She later moved her membership to Open Door Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. Sidney J. Mills and later Rev. Richard Grace. She later re-joined Greater Calvary Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. Rudolph Johnson. Her final church home was Morning Glory in Atco, NJ. Through her Christian journey, Thomassina served on the usher board, choir, and as church clerk. She was willing to help anyway she could. She was famous for her potato salad, which we would always beg her to make for family gatherings.
Thomassina was employed by ARROW alongside her beloved aunt, the late Geneva Johnson and great friend, Vernie Shepherd. In recent years, she worked alongside her dear friend Greta Foxworth as a caretaker. She loved her ladies. They will miss her greatly.
Thomassina was a lover of classic TV from Hogan’s Heroes to Murphy Brown. She never missed her Honeymooners marathon on New Year’s day.
On November 10, 1978 she was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Bruce Bland of Atco, NJ. From this union, two children were born, Tyanna Suzette and Bruce Thomas. Their marriage lasted 24 years, but their friendship lasted a lifetime.
On December 21, 2017, our beloved Thomassina shook off the cares of this world and heeded the call of the Master. She entered into His kingdom where He said to her, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Our loss is certainly Heaven’s gain.
She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted children, Tyanna and Bruce; her adopted children, Chanel, Tiffany and Dominique; her cousin and second mother, Carrie Brister; her other cousins, who she called her “kissisters” Darlene Cosby and Stephanie Brister; her childhood friends, Sylvia Bailey and Hazel Carolina; her very dear friends, Greta Foxworth and family and Shermell Teacher; her brother-in-law Earl Bland and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was met in Heaven by Bruce; her parents Thomas and Susie Blakes-Rofe; her aunt Geneva Johnson and other family and friends who predeceased her.
Visitation
In Loving Memory
Thomassina Bland
1955 - 2017
755 White Horse Pike
Atco, New Jersey 08004
Phone:(856) 336-2078
Fax: (856) 336-2098
Kimberly L. Washington, Manager, N.J. Lic. No. 5224