David Bruce Bland was born on June 30, 1955 in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, son of the late William Bland and Ellen Gourdine Bland. On February 25, 2017, he entered into eternal rest at his residence in Pineville, SC. He was affectionately known as "Dave" or "Bruce".

David was educated in the public school system of Berkeley County, graduating from St. Stephen High School, Class of 1973. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC in 1978.

David accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and became a member of Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church.

After receiving the call from God, he went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree in May 2003 from Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary. He also received the Orders of Presbyter on October 19, 2005 under the direction of Bishop James C. West. During his service, he served as: Lay Reader from October 1992 to September 2001 at Redeemer R.E. Church; Minister Intern from September 2001 to September 2003 at Calvary R.E. Church; Curate at Liberty R.E. Church from September 2003 to October 2008; Rector's Assistant at Redeemer R.E. Church from September 2009 to December 2009; Vicar at St. Michael's R.E. Church from January 2010 to September 2011; Vicar at Nazareth R.E. Church from March 2014 to April 2016; and his most recent assignment at Atonement R.E. Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

He was a member of St. John's Lodge #349, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. At the time of his passing, David was an HVAC/R Supervisor at Joint Base Charleston, where he received various certificates and work related awards.

On December 22, 1984, David was united in holy matrimony to Alice M. Bishop. To this union, two children were born.

David leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Alice M. Bland; children, Yolanda and Brittany Bland all of the home; one sister, Rebecca Bland of Jersey City, NJ; three aunts, Bernice Smalls of Willingboro, NJ, Shirley Ann Ellington of Pineville, SC and Angela Gourdine of Bayonne, NJ; six sisters-in-law, Melvina Mazyck, Joan Perrin and Clara Bishop all of St. Stephen, SC, Julia (Andrew) Gourdine of Culpeper, VA, Kathleen (Floyd) Norton of Summerville, SC and Anna (James) Jenkins of Pineville, SC; a special niece, Cicely Bland of Jersey City, NJ; a host of nieces, nephews, many other loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Joyce Robinson.