[1] She died from complications related to Alzheimer's disease on February 19, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tennessee at age 80.

Throughout her time in office her goals were to help to improve social and economic justice for people of color, especially women and children.

[4] Bland dedicated herself to improving the holistic health of her community, especially for its citizens of color and underserved populations.

She was active in the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus throughout her career and instrumental in holding an annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the state capitol.

[2] Bland announced her retirement in 2004 and served out the end of her term as State Senator until January 2005.