Franklin D. Bland Jr.,also known as "Junior," departed this life on Wednesday,

March 23, 2016 at Albany Medical Center. He was born on September 6, 1966 in

Poughkeepsie, NY to the union of Franklin D. Bland Sr., and the late Mary

Charlene Sanders-Bland.

Franklin was the second oldest of eight siblings. He was educated in the

Poughkeepsie City School System.

Several years ago he relocated to Albany, New York and worked various jobs.

Later in life, Franklin joined Metropolitan Baptist Church in Albany, New York and

accepted Christ in his life. He loved the Lord, and was an active member in the

Usher ministry.

To know Franklin was to love him! He had a big spirit, a heart of gold, and was

always the life of the party. He was known for his awesome sense of humor and

quick wit! Franklin appreciated fashion, loved to dress, and had impeccable

manners. If he was given lemons, he would make lemonade. He always kept it

real! Those that knew him have a Franklin story that is filled with laughter. Let's

hold on to that, because memories are precious and priceless. He always left an

impression on those that crossed his path.

Franklin leaves to cherish his memories his father, Franklin D. Bland Sr. of Newark,

New Jersey; two beloved sisters, Desiree King (Clyde) of Poughkeepsie, New York,

and Aisha Bland of Newburgh, New York; five brothers, Christopher Bland of

Poughkeepsie, New York, Kendall Bland of Newburgh, New York, Raymond Earl

Warren of Poughkeepsie, New York, Elder Wendell Bland of Orangeburg, South

Carolina, and Nathaniel Lyons Jr. of Daytona Beach, Florida; maternal

grandmother Emma Sanders of Rose Hill, North Carolina; several aunts, uncles,

nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins. Franklin

considered his two Aunts Ethel Townsend and Ollie Kelly as very special.

He also leaves to cherish two special friends, Michael Petteway, Lawrence

Johnson, and many other friends.

Franklin is predeceased by his mother Mary Charlene Sanders-Bland in February

of 2000 in Poughkeepsie, New York.

A Home going Celebration will be held on Friday, April 01, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at

Beulah Baptist Church, 92 Catharine Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601.

Viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m. until time of services. The Reverend Jesse V.

Bottoms, Jr., Officiating. Cremation will be at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Joseph J. Darrow, Sr. Funeral Home,

Inc., 39 South Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601. 845-452-1840. To send online condolences, visit www.darrowfuneralhome.org