Early Wayne Bland died peacefully in his sleep on April 1, 2025 at his beautiful home in Savannah, Ga. after a long illness.

Born on January 15th, 1941 in Daisy, Georgia, he was the son of Early Wesley Bland and Dorothy Wilkinson Bland. 

He graduated from Reidsville High School in 1959 and went to Georgia Southern College. After graduating with a degree in History, he went to graduate school in Social Work at The University of Michigan in 1961. He married his high school sweetheart Sharon Cox from Reidsville, Ga. and together they moved to Michigan and raised their baby boy, Stephen Wayne Bland. 

Upon graduation from University of Michigan in 1963, he and his family moved to Milledgeville, Georgia, where he served as director of the Unit for Children with Developmental Disabilities at Central State Hospital. There he spearheaded reforms for ethical and humane care for children with disabilities. In 1967, he and Sharon had twin girls, Robin Noel Smith and Carlyn Craig Bland, and in 1969 he won Man of the Year from the Civic Womans’ Club of Milledgeville. 

With a growing family, they moved in 1969 to Memphis,Tennessee and he served as a Director at Arlington State Hospital.  In 1977, they moved to Atlanta where he served as Deputy Director for Mental Health in Georgia. Once Stephen graduated high school, the family moved to Thomasville in 1981 where he served as Superintendent of Southwestern State Hospital.

In 1985, he and Sharon moved to Savannah where he and colleagues Bill Johnson and Jim Burgin started Recovery Place of Savannah, an outpatient addiction center. For 25 years, he  helped thousands of people in Savannah with addiction and mental health issues. He and Sharon traveled often to New York City and Santa Fe. When he retired in 2008, he helped take care of his wife, Sharon, until she passed away in June of that year. 

Wayne was a lifelong learner with a curious, vibrant personality that never met a stranger. He joined Asbury Memorial Church in 2014 and was an avid supporter and participant of The Savannah Learning Center. He was a writer and a poet, an incredible gardener, and a world traveler--whether overseas to Europe, attending high school reunions in Reidsville, or to Darien to celebrate his birthday every year with friends at Skipper’s Fish Camp! He often hosted dinner parties and enjoyed cooking for friends and family throughout his life. 

He always supported his children and grandchildren, often traveling to their basketball games, plays, competitions, art shows, writing classes, and graduation ceremonies. He loved listening about their lives and promoting them in any way possible--often finding ways to support them with their plans and dreams.

Whether meeting friends for lunch, gathering at the Legion downtown, or being part of the “Math Club,” he had a large group of friends that came from all walks of life. He was a fantastic conversationalist and storyteller, regaling everyone with his “School Bus Stories” about growing up in Reidsville in the 1950s and all the people he knew there. His spark, vitality, and bright smile will be missed by many.

Survivors include his children, son Stephen Bland of Loganville, Ga; daughters, Robin Bland Smith of Reidsville, Ga (Andrew), and Carlyn Craig Bland of Athens, Ga; as well as twelve grandchildren, Summer Bland, Savannah Bland, Justin Talbot, Gene Autry III, Sharon Lillie Autry, Carlyn Rose Palmer (Grant), Johnny Autry (Brianna Parker), Elaine Cosette Smith, River Mcpherson Smith, Early Bland Smith, James Wayne Maddox, and Ava Katherine Maddox. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Marilyn Noel Autry, Lucille Elise Autry, Colton Tolbert, Bennett Tolbert, and Willa Tolbert. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Randall of Reidsville, GA and sister Pam Robertston (Jack) of Reidville-- along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that he claimed as his family.

Services will be held Saturday, April 12th, at Asbury Memorial Church (corner of Waters Ave and Henry St.) at 11:00 am with a reception immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make remembrances to Asbury Memorial Church, 1008 E. Henry Street, Savannah, Ga. 31401, or to The Learning Center of Savannah, Ga, 3025 Bull Street, Savannah, Ga., 31406.