Born Twin to Ernestine

SEE "Documents"

SEE Photos enclosed

Circa 1920's photos of Earl Bland

One photo is Earl with Aunt (unidentified)

Betty Jane Bennett (Semple) wrote: "My back yard, my favorite ducks (use to chase and peck at me), I was 7 yrs old, I love this picture! Brings back so many wonderful memories. Key Lime Tree (lower left corner), Banana Trees, Chickens, Blue Fantail Pigeons, Pineapples we planted, Papaya Tree - Yum! Pink Flamingos (not real) in Rock Garden, Towels on chair used for Earl's (Bland) swollen legs (heart trouble)"

This house was the residence of Margaret "Maggie" Bland, grandmother to Betty Jane Bennett (Semple). Address: 515 NW 50th St, Miami, FL. Towels in chair were, for Earl Bland, used for heart therapy. Tree on bottom left is a key lime tree. Ducks would chase Betty and peck her. Car in garage was their Studebaker. Room extended in back was Betty's bedroom. Banana tree near the ducks. Pineapple top was planted and would grow. Would have garden. 1st window on left was dining room, 2nd window was kitchen sink, then 3rd window was only bathroom. Notice storm shutter for storms or hurricane weather. Pine tree in front on left. Phone number was 75004. (As recounted from Betty Semple, she was 7). All that lived there were Margaret Jane "Maggie" Bland (Ernestine & Anna's mother), Anna 'Ann' Mae Bland (later became Ann Mitchell), Ernestine Bennett (Betty's mother) & Earl Bland (Ernestine & Earl were twins) and Betty Bennett (Semple).

Maggie Bland gave her son, Earl, a bible for Christmas which eventually was passed on to her granddaughter, Betty Bennett, after Earl's death. Betty was living with her grandmother.

SEE "Documents" for Funeral Service information and Register

Service held at Combs Funeral Home, Feb. 24th, 1943, Friday, 3:30 p.m.

Rev. Paul O. Elder, officiating, Organist: Esther Hawthorne

Casket Bearers: Earnest Coxe, Foy C. Adams, W. W. Watkins, Gene Barrette, Leon P. Joiner, Theodore Kendricks

Relatives Attending (name signed on Register): Mrs. Maggie Bland, Ernestine Bland, Ann Bland, Betty Jane Bennett, Mrs. C.P. Pierce

Friends Who Called (some who signed Register): Mr & Mrs M. E. Barrett, Mr & Mrs F. C. Adams, Mrs. Mary Louise Coxe, R. E. Coxe, Mrs. Ted Kendrick, Irene Blanton, Mrs. E. L. Gibson, Ralph Forbes, Mrs. Lois Dumas, Lillian P. Gage and more...(SEE Documents)

Interment: Woodlawn Park Cemetery, Section 15, Block 8 & 9, Lot 266, Miami, Dade County, Florida