Helen Strange

Helen Bland Strange, 86, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2013, at a local hospital.She was a graduate of Howard High School. Helen was a faithful member of New Monumental Church Baptist. She retired from the state of Tennessee.She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Hattie Armstrong Bland.Survivors include sons, Terrell (Sabrina) Bland, Scottsdale, Ariz.,Thomas E. Smith, Chattanooga, and Jonathan (Lorretta) Smith, Irving, Texas; grandchildren, Kiah Bland, Alexander Bland, Goodyear, Ariz.; sisters, Yvonne Powell, Alexandria, Va., Mirian (Charles) Torrence, Sandborn, N.Y.; two great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.Funeral services will be held noon on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at New Monumental Baptist Church with Pastor Roderick L. Ware officiating.The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.Interment in Forest Hills Cemetery.The body will lie in state after noon today at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.