Louise Estelle East Bohlinger

Louise Estelle East Bohlinger of Tabb, Virginia, 73, passed onto glory to be in His presence early morning August 25, 2021.
Louise was born on August 23, 1948 in Petersburg, VA to the late Walter Wayne East & Lillian Waller East. She is survived by her husband of nearly 47 years CPT RET Charles G. Bohlinger 3rd (“Terry”), their daughter Marian Lee (“Marlee”) Bohlinger Font and her husband, Victor of Grafton VA, and their five children: Kassie, Felicia, AJ, Timothy and Jonothan. As well as their Son, Charles G. Bohlinger IV (“Gus”) and wife, Stacy Lyn Goodrich-Bohlinger of Norfolk, VA and their children: Gabe, Ethan, Chris, Alex and Hope.
Louise graduated from Petersburg High School and went onto study at Radford College, graduating with Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Math. She was immediately employed at Allied Chemical Fibers Division, Hopewell VA, where she was the first female chemist ever hired as a Fibers Engineer. She met and married CPT Charles G. Bohlinger, 3rd (“Terry”) in December 1974. Their Army career took them immediately to Fort Ord, California where the 7th Infantry Division was being reformed. After Terry’s Army retirement, he was offered Civil Service Employment in 1977 at Naval Supply Center Cheatham Annex and they settled in Tabb, Virginia. Louise taught in the math and sciences in the York County School Division for many decades, and tutored math as long, too. She was an active member and leader in various levels of the Patent Teacher Association (PTA). She was active as a Docent at the Mariners Museum for years. She acquired a “green thumb” success from her mother and thrived in the Virginia Peninsula Rose Society, competing annually in the Mothers’ Day Rose Shows, winning many ribbons and prizes over the years. Her Children were raised beginning in Bethel Baptist Church Pre-School and the family continued in many youth programs at the church. Louise led Girls in Action and Acteens for many years, taking these groups on varied local, out-of-state, and out-of-country mission trips. Louise was active in Bethel Baptist Church’s Adult Choir and very active for some 38 years in the Virginia Choral Society, performing locally, nationally, and internationally. Louise was very active in Veterans Activities assisting at VAMC Hampton as a volunteer and group leader in Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 824 where she was a Past Commander and Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Unit 13 where she was a Past Commander and during her service Unit 13 was awarded the Josie Leake Award as best unit in Department of Virginia. Louise rose through the positions to become DAVA Department of Virginia Commander. Recently she was serving as Senior Vice Commander of Disabled American Veterans Unit 33 of Charlottesville, VA.
Louise was an avid seamstress and costumer for PIPs (Poquoson Island Players), the PCT (Peninsula Community Theater), The Hampton Roads Civic Ballet, and Tabb High School Marching Band Flag Corps. She was a dedicated and talented “Flag Mom,” “Dance Mom,” and “Theater Mom.”
A gathering time will be held Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at Bethel Baptist Church (1004 Yorktown Rd, Yorktown, VA 23693) at 11 am Visitation and 12 (noon) funeral, and committal/burial at the Albert G. Horton Veterans Memorial Cemetery (5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, VA 23434) at 3 pm.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary 33 (mail address: P.O. Box 364, Crozet, VA 22932). Or to Disabled American Veterans Chapter 13 or to Disabled American Veterans Unit 13 or to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 824, or Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 824 (mailing address at: 1700 George Washington Memorial Highway, Suite E, Yorktown VA 23693). Or the Virginia Choral Society at https://vachoralsociety.org/how-you-can-support-vcs/contribution-form/.
Truly an angel dressed in her favorite veridian and dappled with gemstones, with a heart that glimmered just as much. She will continue to be loved and missed by all that she has ever touched.