Zilda Sue Darby Bland, 82, Bridge City

Zilda Sue Darby Bland, 82, of Bridge City, Texas, passed away on September 19, 2024, in Beaumont. 

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Brother Terry Wright. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, on February 11, 1942, she was the daughter of John Clement Darby and Imogene Glaze Darby. A cherished member of her community, Zilda leaves behind a legacy of warmth, laughter, and dedication. Zilda worked as a secretary at Dixie Glass and Alamo Glass, where she was recognized for her exceptional work ethic by receiving the Bridge City Chamber's Employee of the Year award. She also consistently claimed the title for the most grandchildren at class reunions and other events, a testament to the profound love she had for her family. Beyond her professional life, Zilda was a vibrant soul with an adventurous spirit. She had a passion for shopping and an insatiable love for the beach, where she found joy and solace. Her adventurous nature led her to explore new restaurants and foods, which gave her the fuel to carry out her joyful approach to life. Zilda’s many “collections” served as a reflection of her unique interests and eye for beauty. To her beloved grandchildren, Zilda was more than a grandmother; she was a cherished "grandma," always bringing joy and affection into their lives. To her nieces and nephews, she was endearingly known as "SueSue," a name that carried with it the warmth and love she shared with them.

SueSue’s family was her treasure. She lived for each and every one and cherished the times she shared with them. Her first favorite passion was throwing big BBQs where she would start cooking at 3:00 AM to slowly cook the meat to perfection for dinner at 5:00 PM. Friends and family would come together for an all-day event. It wasn’t unusual to have a party of 40 or more. For SueSue, “the more the merrier” was a true statement. She lived to cook. Food was her love language, and she passed that language on to her four children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who are carrying on that legacy. Her second favorite passion was her yard and yardwork. She never passed on the opportunity to combine riding mower day with sunbathing as she kept her yard immaculate and beautiful for all to see.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Our hearts are heavy with the passing of our matriarch and the last of her generation, but her legacy will live on through her loving family.  

We are forever grateful to her for teaching her family how to love, give and how to keep going when times get tough. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, J.C. and Imogene Darby; her husband, Robert “Bob” Bland, Jr.; her sister and brother-in-Law, Geraldine and Johnny Ford; her brothers, John, David, Jack, Claude, and Grady; her sisters, Lattie Jo, and Jean Beatrice; her daughter Melissa Davis; and her Sons-in-Law, Mack Coyle, and Leslie Juneau.

She is survived by her daughters, Jamie Juneau, and Lori Jean Coyle; her son, Joe Henry Adkins, Jr. and wife, Betty; her stepson, Robert Bland III and wife, Lisa; 19 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and numerous other loving family members and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Adkins, Jeremiah Coyle, Bradley Coyle, Dathan Juneau, Amadee Juneau and Mason Juneau. Honorary pallbearers are Damon Coyle, Sean Kemna, Nathan Sickler and Gabe Sickler.

The family extends a special thanks to the Staff of Mid Jefferson Extended Care Hospital of Beaumont. Their compassionate and loving care was nothing less than exceptional and we cannot thank them enough.