Bobby E. Bland, age 85 of Paris, passed away Monday, May 25, 2020 at his residence. His funeral service will be 1:00 PM Thursday, May 28, 2020 at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church with Keith Nation and his son, Kirk Bland officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be after 11:00 AM Thursday at the church prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Michael Henry, Colton Henry, Bobby Mayo, Mike Henry, Mike Chamberlain, Chris Fletcher, and Bo Bland. Bobby E. Bland was born April 18, 1935 in Nashville, Tennessee. On May 22, 1955 he married Joy Norwood Bland and she survives in Paris, TN. Along with his wife, he is also survived by two daughters: Vicky Kay (Mike) Henry of Tulsa, OK and Cathy Jo Mullikin of Memphis, TN; one son, Robert Kirk (Judy) Bland of Grand Rapids, MI; seven grandchildren: Lindsey (Josh) Bachman, Heather (Bobby) Mayo, Kelsey Mullikin, Jessica (Chris) Fletcher, Michael (Ashley) Henry, Jr., Bo Bland, and Courtney Bland; and four great grandchildren: Collin Mayo, Colton Henry, Katelyn Henry, and Chance Henry. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Edward Bland and Edwina Lorine Lindsey Bland and a brother, Jesse Leon "Jackie" Bland. Mr. Bland was born in Nashville but raised in Big Sandy where he was Salutatorian of his class and played on the basketball team. He was a certified lay speaker with the Methodist Church and was lay leader and longtime active member at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. He received an appointment to West Point but had already joined the Air Force where he was Radio Systems Instructor for B-52 Bombers at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. He worked and retired from DuPont as Maintenance Supervisor for 35 years. Following his retirement, he and his wife went into the antique business. They enjoyed traveling together throughout the U.S. attending auctions and seeing many places of interest. They also worked together in genealogy where he investigated and photographed many cemeteries. Memorials may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 Visitation Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Thursday, May 28, 2020 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Little Benton Road Mansfield, Tennessee 38236 Funeral Service Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Thursday, May 28, 2020 1:00 PM Little Benton Road Mansfield, Tennessee 38236