Vina LuDale Bloder

Vina LuDale “Dale” Bloder, 73, passed away peacefully at home in Austin, TX on October 20, 2017 after a valiant battle with a long illness. Her devotion to her family and her firm faith in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace.

Dale was born to the late Myrtle (Foster) Cook and James F. Foster in Greenville, SC on August 21, 1944, the oldest daughter of nine siblings. She was a graduate of Greenville High School—class of 1962. Over the course of her life, Dale worked as a bookkeeper, administrative assistant, retail store manager, realtor and homemaker.

Dale would have wanted everyone to know that her most important roles were wife, mother and grandmother—roles that she filled with passion, joy and incredible sacrificial love.

In 1967 she was introduced by a mutual friend to a young Navy veteran named Fred Bloder, who was in college in Greenville. They were married on February 2, 1967, and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this coming year.

Dale was known for her sweet spirit, her unwavering faith in God, and her patience and unconditional love for her friends and family. She was also a peacemaker—always forgiving and ready to offer grace. Even though most people would have assumed she was shy, Dale also had a mischievous sense of humor, and the heart of an adventurer.

Dale is survived by Fred L. Bloder, her husband of nearly 50 years, her son Rev. Dr. Leon F. Bloder, her daughter-in-law Merideth Nagel, and her grandsons Jay, Jackson and Jacob Bloder, all of Austin, TX. She is also survived by her sisters Susan Ravan, of Simpsonville, SC, and Dreama Tollison, of Conestee, SC, and her brother Mark Foster of Greenville, SC. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers James, Larry, Wendell and Lamar Foster, and her sister Kay Green.

Her family will be celebrating Dale’s life on Saturday, October 28, 2017 with a 10:00 a.m. viewing and an 11:00 a.m. memorial service at Tremont Church of God (2854 New Easley Highway Greenville, SC 29611), followed by an interment at Greenville Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Dr. C. Eddie Allen will be officiating.