Sara Elizabeth Bland

Sara Setzer Bland, 86, of 91 Arthur Road, Malvern Hills, Asheville, died Tuesday, January 13, 2004, in an Asheville hospital. Mrs. Bland was born in Newton, NC and was a daughter of the late Herbert and Georgia Setzer and was also preceded in death by a sister, Frances S. Ball. She was a lifelong member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where she was a former Sunday School teacher and taught in the weekday church school. She is survived by one daughter, Deborah Bland Lane and her husband Harold of Knoxville, TN; one son Thomas E. Bland and his wife Donna of Suisun City, CA; her former husband Joseph M. Bland of Asheville; one sister Mary Lewis Setzer Harkins and her husband Charles of Asheville; a granddaughter Elizabeth Styles and her husband Derrick of Waihua, HI; a grandson Michael Cornwell of Newport, TN; and a great-grandson Elijah Styles. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church with the Revs. Marion Starr and Sara Ilderton officiating. Burial will be at Green Hills Cemetery. Her family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service and there will be a reception for family and friends in the church fellowship hall immediately following the church service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 10 North Liberty Street, Asheville, NC 28801. The family expresses appreciation to the staff of the Oaks at Sweeten Creek and Mission Hospital ICU, physicians and chaplains. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is in charge of the arrangements.