Winifred Breland

Obituary Winfred Davis Breland was born May 4, 1921 in Wiggins, Mississippi. He was the second oldest of six children from Ollie Breland and Carrie Massalyn Davis Breland. Winfred “Wint” accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized in Bond, Mississippi at St. Paul Methodist Church. He graduated from Stone County Training School in Wiggins, Mississippi. He served honorably in the United States Army during World War II. After serving our country, he met Bernice McQueen and married her on November 11, 1947. Through this union, they were blessed with eight children; Winfred Jr., Dianne, Jackie, Gayle Denise, Roland Everard, Florence Marie, Kevin Maurice and David Jerome. Winfred and Bernice were married over 65 years which is a testament to the love they shared. In 1946, Winfred was honorably discharged from the United States Army and worked at the Colonial Bread Company in Gulfport, Mississippi. He relocated his family to San Bernardino, California and worked as a mechanic for the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Barstow for 30 years and retired in 1977. He received the Federal Service Award for 30 years of service to the United States Marines. He was also a member of the American Legion, Post 701 for 22 years. For many years, Winfred and Bernice owned and managed the Richfield Service Stations, one on 9th Street and one on Highland Avenue. Winfred had always dreamt of owning a chartered bus company. He began Breland Lines in 1957 and has touched so many lives by transporting workers to the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Barstow and frequent trips to Las Vegas among other places. He was a pillar of society in San Bernardino, CA and was loved by all who had a chance to meet him. Winfred was a dedicated member of St. Paul AME Church, San Bernardino CA, under the leadership of Rev. Larry E. Campbell, Senior Pastor. He was a deacon, trustee and served wherever he was asked to serve including using his beloved Breland Lines to transport fellow church members to functions. “Wint”, as he was affectionately called by his wife, and WD by many others, was a gentle giant! He loved to laugh and was always there for others in their time of need, especially his wife and relatives. His dream came true by having a successful chartered bus line that is well known to this day. He is survived by his wife: Bernice Breland; children, Winfred Breland Jr. (Paso Robles, CA), Diane Cauley (Loma Linda, CA), Sophia L. Garrett (Chicago, IL), Jackie Breland (Yucaipa, CA), Roland Everard Breland (Wiggins, MS), Florence Marie Stewart (Riverside, CA) , Kevin Maurice Breland (San Bernardino, CA) and Dr. David Jerome Breland (Seattle, WA); brother, Harold Breland (Wiggins, MS) and sister, Jessie Pearl Johnson (Wiggins, MS); a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his daughter Gayle Denise Breland.

Winifred Breland

May 4, 1921 - January 14, 2012