Bland Newcomb Cleesattle

Bland Newcomb Cleesattle died on Friday, All Saints Day November 1 peacefully at Willson Hospice House at the age of 77. Bland was born in Albany, Georgia as the eldest child of Bob and Mimi Newcomb who preceded her in death as well as a brother, Robin Newcomb. Bland married Don Cleesattle in 1968 who also preceded her in death. Bland is survived by two sons, Don Cleesattle of Albany, Ga. and Ken (Holley) Cleesattle of Athens, AL and five grandchildren, Donald Cleesattle III, Zoe Cleesatte both of Albany, Marcie (John David) Smith and Caroline, Bland’s great granddaughter, Fitzpatrick, AL; Lansdon and Kenley Cleesattle of Athens, AL; a sister, Ri (Don) Lamb, a brother, Ned (Mary) Newcomb and numerous much loved nieces and nephews and cousins both in Albany and beyond. Following graduation from Albany High School, Bland held a series of jobs including being the office manager for Newcomb-Mayflower before landing at Phoebe Putney in 1986 as the Coordinator for the Golden Key Club, a group that grew far beyond the goals of the the Marketing Department to attract 1000's of members who enjoyed monthly birthday parties, health screenings/education and eventually trips that took members all over the United States and some beyond our borders. While at Phoebe, Bland was instrumental in helping with the Centennial Museum. She retired from Phoebe in 2014 after 28 years but continued to find opportunities to volunteer at the hospital she loved. Bland took great care to research and preserve history and so, for her family and the town of Albany, a library has closed. Bland loved to travel and to research her destinations, to share with the group traveling with her interesting facts along the way; she was a tour guide with Astro Travel and felt it was her obligation to make the trip a learning opportunity for everyone. In her spare time she taught Safe Driving classes for AARP. Bland was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where she rarely missed an event. She faithfully participated in Ladles of Love, served as a member of the Vestry, was President of the Daughters of the King, regularly attended Centering Prayer, loved Cursillo and graduated from Sewanee's Education For Ministry. Members of The Episcopal Church of St. John and St. Mark also claimed Bland as one of their own as she filled many roles and faithfully attended this community as well. In the Albany community Bland was a member of the Chairman of the Smith House, past President of Thronateeska Heritage, a Board member of Westvilleville, 100 Women Who Care, the Junior League, theNational Society of Colonial Dames and always supported the Albany Little Theatre. A service to celebrate Bland's life will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 212 N. Jefferson St., Albany, Ga. at 1:30 PM on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. A reception will follow in the church parish hall. Those desiring to make memorials are encouraged to remember St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 212 N. Jefferson, Albany, 31701, your local Boy Scout organization or Lights of Love at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

Bland Newcomb Cleesattle

June 27, 1947 - November 1, 2024