Atwell Kennie" M." Bland

BLAND - Atwell M. "Kennie, 91, went into the open arms of his Lord on Nov. 15, 2011, passing away peacefully at his home. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Edward McKenna Bland and Florence Pratt Bland. He proudly served his county in the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War ll. On Jan. 10, 1944 he married Melba F. Unzicker in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They moved to Tulsa where he began work in the oil fields. He switched to being a salesman and that took him to Odessa, TX, Las Vegas, NM, Santa Fe, NM and finally to Albuquerque in 1958. He finished his working career in different capacities working for Safeway, Piggly Wiggly, Furr��?�s, and Albertson's. He was the ultimate people person and was the kind of person that never met a stranger. His greatest asset was his positive and upbeat attitude regardless of the situation. He loved his family and family gatherings, working in his garden and going camping and fishing. After he retired he went dancing at least 3-4 times a week at the various Senior Center and socialized over lunch and field trips or other activities. He served on the North Valley Senior Center Advisory Council from 1997 - 1999 and serving as President in 1999. He also volunteered many years with "Share Your Care Adult Day Care. He was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church and prior to that a member of Northdale Baptist Church. The church services, activities and people were a very large part of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Dwain Edward, his beloved wife of 54 years, Melba, and one son, Terry M. Bland. He is survived by 4 children: Sherrill Hoefer (John) of Craig, CO, Gary of Englewood, CO, Gloria Ortega and Donna Stevens, both of Albuquerque, 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, and by special friend, JoAnne Perez. The family would like to thank all of his friends and neighbors for their kindness and special care over the years. They would also like to extend a special thank you to the Doctors, Nurses, Staff and Volunteers at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque and Heritage Home Healthcare for their extra care and compassion, especially during his final days. You have all been a blessing to not only Kennie, but his family as well. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made in Atwell��?�s name to the Foundation for Fighting Blindness (www.blindness.org) or the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org). A Viewing will be held at 5:00 pm, Friday, November 18, 2011 at Daniels Family Funeral Services, Sara Chapel, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, November 19, 2011 at Lighthouse Baptist Church, 4001 12th Street NW (12th & Candelaria), Albuquerque, NM. Interment to follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM. The family would like to extend a special invitation to anyone that would like to reminisce, or visit with them, and have a bite to eat at their home following the burial. Mr. Bland��?�s care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services
Sara Chapel
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124