Luna Marie (Haynes) Bland of Olive Branch, MS died peacefully after a sudden illness on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the age of 87.

Marie, affectionately known as MeMa by her family, is survived by her beloved husband, Aubrey Byron Bland of Olive Branch; her two children, Judy Loyd (Garry) of Olive Branch, Donald Bland (Kim) of Olive Branch; four grandchildren, Tanya McFaddin, Renee Diaz (Chris) both of Olive Branch, Adam Bland of Washington, DC and Aubrey Bland of Fayetteville, AR and 4 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Charles "Son" Haynes, Bennie Haynes, Johnny "Bo" Haynes, Archie Haynes, Mary "Tootie" Pruett, Ellen "Sissy" Walker, Nellie Burchfield and Jean Swinford. She is preceded in death by her parents, Bennie Haynes & Annie Cooper Haynes, her siblings, Joel "Buddy" Haynes, Robert "Bucky" Haynes and Doris "Pumpkin" Jones.

MeMa was born in a two-bedroom home in Drew, MS on a cotton farm. She was the oldest daughter of 12 children all living in a small home with no running water or electricity. Her early life consisted of school, chopping and picking cotton, and caring for her younger siblings. She was a strong woman who worked hard all her life to take care of the family she loved dearly. She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved dancing in her younger days and was never one to mince words. You always knew where you stood with MeMa. Her grandchildren remember her spending time with them, cooking food and watching TV.

Marie was a working mother, starting her career at Lowenstein''s on Main Street in Memphis. She then worked at General Electric retiring after 35 years. Last week, her great-grandchildren found some amazing Christmas light bulbs that MeMa had created and dipped in a frosting like material. MeMa and the kids laughed in delight when they plugged them in and they still worked after all these years. She will be missed.

A funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17 with visitation from 1-2 pm and service at 2 pm. at Forest Hill Funeral Home on Holmes Road. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Marie''s life.