Viola Celeste Bland, age 86 of Lebanon, passed away Friday, December 02, 2022 at Harrodsburg Health and Rehabilitation. She was born to the late Cleaver and Mary Catherine Taylor Bland on December 19, 1935.

Before Viola started her nursing career, she worked at Bell Telephone as a switch board operator and later at Jane and Linda as a seamstress. After receiving her licensed practical nurse certificate, she worked at Spring View Hospital and Metzmier (Grandview) Nursing Home before she returned to school to get her registered nursing degree. She later worked for Marion Adjustment Center (MAC) and finished her career at Cedars of Lebanon Nursing Home.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dr. James Garland Bland, nephew, James Garland Bland, Jr., niece, Maria Katherine "Kathy" Bland, and most beloved dog, Morticia.

Viola is survived by her daughter Debbie Lanham (Tim), nieces Rebecca Bland Foster (Tim), Nancy Anne "Annie" Bland (David Turner) and nephew David Floyd Bland, a life-long friend Jerry "Jack" Watson, and two grandsons and six grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Viola, or Bea as she was called by her nieces and nephews, had a great love of all things furry. Throughout her life since childhood, she cared for orphaned rabbits, raccoons, fawns and even a red-tailed hawk. She always had room for the dogs and cats that "showed" up at her home that she lived in for 80 years.

There will never be another Viola and her family and friends will miss her, but all the cherished memoires will help to keep her memory alive in their hearts and minds.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marion County Humane Society.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 09, 2022 at Bosley Funeral Home with Rev. Phil Bishop officiating. Interment will follow in Ryder Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday, December 08, 2022 at Bosley Funeral Home.