Lynn Overton Bland, Jr.

On Monday, February 10, 2020, Lynn Overton Bland, Jr. 69, transitioned on to be with The Lord he trusted and loved.  Lynn has now been reunited with his Mother, Otleia Tutwiler Bland and father, Lynn O.  Bland, Sr. in heaven.  Lynn was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 15, 1950.  He was born with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that affects movement and muscle tone or posture.  It's caused by damage that occurs to the brain as it develops.  In 1950, the doctor's prognosis was; he will never walk, he will never talk.  He probably won't live to be more than 2 or 3 years.  Place him in Central State or South Side Training Center for his and your own good.  We all know that just was not true.  God's love is like that for us and Chuckie as well.  The apple of Otelia's eye, she left the doctor's office and turned to what she knew would work.  She turned to her Brain Trust, some of the strongest God fearing Black women on the planet.  Otelia T. Bland, Bessie Reed, Effie Kelly Tutwiler, Ida Clark Bland, Catherine Bland McCowan, some women eulogized here in this statuary, some women here today all got around Chuckie and prayed and loved all other him.  Chuckie had a smile that lit up every room he ever walked into.  He had style, he had grace and he was debonair. Wanting more, Chuckie enrolled in the Richmond ARC.  A Program, Otelia and Lynn Sr. helped organize to ensure children rejected by the public  education system had a place to go to learn and thrive and become active citizens in their own communities.  Learned to read, write.  In 1974, he completed a Certificate of Excellence for Reading, Writing, Math and Social Skills.  Chuckie participated in the Special Olympics each season and won many ribbons and trophies in track, field and bowling.  Chuckie loved to socialize and dance.  He attended dances and events as often as possible.  As a great protector, he monitored who Vickie could and could not dance with.  He often closed the dances down talking with young women until Otelia and Lynn showed him the lights were being shut off and escorted him to the car. Chuckie received Christ at Union Baptist Church, Shores, Virginia.  He also attended here at Byrd Grove Baptist Church regularly with family and friends.  Chuckie loved the Lord and said "I'm gonna do what the Lord said do, sister."  He learned the word, he listened to the word, and he tithed.  He was a good neighbor, an adoring son and a protective brother.  Leaving to cherish his memories are his sister Vickie (Silas), nephew Evan, niece Caelon, great nephews Kenneth Jr., and Kaleb, great niece, Nova, uncle Presley Reed (Washington, DC), aunts Alease Bland Cousins (Columbia, VA) and Ruth Bland Megginson (Louisa, VA).  There are a host of family and friends left to cherish the memory of this true Gift from God.  If you haven't done it, give your life to Christ; while there is still time.  Selah. A celebration of joy for the life of Mr. Lynn O. Bland, Jr., will be held on February 22, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Byrd Grove Baptist Church, 2365 Cedar Lane, Kents Store, Virginia.