Page 19 - Wayne County

given Jim and Margie 11 grandchildren: Richie has Leah, Jay, and Hunter; Joy has John Lex, Adeline, Jameson, and Asher; and David has David, Blythe, Brayden, and Brynnslet. Margie declares, “Nothing thrills us more than for eleven beautiful children to look up to us and call us “Marmar” and “Pops.” In retirement, Margie continues to paint, to support and enjoy her church and family, and to be an avid golfer while Jim collects art glass, hunts, fshes, is active in Kiwanis, and enjoys both hearing and telling a good story.

When asked about hunting and fshing, Jim says he “enjoys all aspects of the great outdoors: hunting and fshing, of course, but much more than that. I fnd tranquility, peace, and a nearness to God that I fnd in no other place.” As members of First United Methodist Church, Jim has taught Sunday school over 50 years and Margie over 40. Margie also originally organized the Acolyte program there and served as its director for 22 years.

In addition to other interests and the love developed over a lifetime, they

share two other passions: crossword puzzles and dancing. Most mornings fnd them at the kitchen table with the newspaper, each competing to fnish the puzzle frst. Some Saturday nights still fnd them on a dance foor enjoying each other and the activity they have shared since their frst days together. Yes, some try to defne Margie and Jim Bland with a recitation of the long list of their achievements, but this couple defes being capsulized so easily. Their essence must be experienced frsthand, apart from the public

Jim and Margie are the epitome of small Southern hometown. They have reared three successful children in Jesup, public schooled them here, sent their oldest, Richie, to Jim’s alma mater, and Joy and David to the University of Georgia. All are now married and have given Jim and Margie 11 grandchildren: Richie has Leah, Jay, and Hunter; Joy has John Lex, Adeline, Jameson, and Asher; and David has David, Blythe, Brayden, and Brynnslet.

“Nothing thrills us more than for eleven beautiful children to look up to us and call us”Marmar” and “Pops.”