Nicholas, Dana Bland
Dana Raye Bland Nicholas, 69, of Bland, VA, passed away to her eternal Heavenly home on Thursday, June 25, 2026. She was born November 11, 1956, in Radford, VA, the daughter of the late Junior and Janet Bland.
Dana was a beautiful, gentle soul who always had a kind word and treated people with love and compassion, whether they deserved it or not. She had a generous spirit and was often mistreated and her kindness taken as weakness. She recognized family extended beyond blood and accepted everyone as they were, with an open heart and open arms. She lived her life in the example of her loving Savior. She loved everyone as He instructed us to love. She chose to love others unconditionally.
Compared to horses running in a field, her spirit danced and flowed like the wheat in the field, blowing in the breeze. Sometimes, she was the wild mustang running rapidly and chasing her dreams. Other times, she was the strong support that carried you when you were weary. She saw the beauty in nature and enjoyed being outdoors. She named the critters that frequented her yard. She met every day with sunshine and rainbows.
She was an avid reader and frequented the local library. She loved movies and keeping up with the world’s affairs.
Dana was a beloved caregiver in the most recent years and took that position very seriously. She gave up caregiving when her battle with sickness eliminated her ability to do her job. She was a three-time cancer survivor and had recently been given another diagnosis with a new battle to fight. Throughout her sickness and her battles with cancer, she always found comfort in the arms of the Lord. She is in the arms of her merciful God, for He saw her growing tired and weary. She will be missed greatly by those who loved and cared for her.
Dana was preceded in death by her husband, Steve Nicholas, her parents, Junior Curtis & Janet Raye Phillips Bland and her nephew, Rickie Bland, II.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Malina Layne; her son & daughter-in-law, Jamie & Cara Garlick; her beloved grandchildren, Eva, Noah, Jared and Jocelyn; her sisters, Karen Bland and Susan Bland; her brother & sister-in-law, Rickie & Karen Bland; and her niece, Christina Donahue.
Also left to cherish her memory are her chosen adopted family, Bryan & Susan Morris, Danny Bogle and her beloved doodlebug, Charlie. They brought great joy to her life in her final years and she cherished their friendships, their love, their prayers and the time she spent with them.
Graveside services are planned for Friday, July 3, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Morning Star Cemetery, Bland, with her family and friends officiating.
Her family suggests that if you choose to send flowers, that you consider purple flowers, her favorite!
Dana’s family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985.
