Virginia Inez Bolender

Virginia Inez McWilliams Bolender of Williamsburg, Virginia, passed away on October 24, 2023, at Patriots Colony Convalescent. She was born on March 9, 1924, in Decatur, Mississippi, to Leon C. and Ora McWilliams. She spent her teenage years in Meridian, Mississippi, where she met her future husband, the late Brigadier General Carroll H. “Rip” Bolender of Clarksville, Ohio on a blind date. He was at the time a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps (which is now called the U.S. Air Force). This “Southern Belle” and “Yankee” were married in Orlando, FL on November 7, 1942, a few months before he left for World War II. They were married for 53 years and during that time they moved over 13 times which lead them to many different states in the United States. During her active years she was a member of many different Officer Wives Clubs where she served in many different positions, and bridge clubs. She was also a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church and Comte De Grasse Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She loved to cook, entertain, garden, and attend church activities. Her biggest joy was spending time with her family. She was a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers: Leon C. McWilliams, Jr., Thomas E. “Shorty” McWilliams, Billy E. McWilliams; two sisters: Mary M. Terrell and Dorothy M. Nunnery; three sisters-in-law Ann S. McWilliams, Gloria W. McWilliams, and Virginia M. McWilliams; two brothers-in-law, Henry G. Terrell and John R. Nunnery.

She is survived by her son Robert A. “Bob” Bolender and Donna Bryan of Mechanicsville, VA; daughter, Carol Walden and son-in-law Buddy Walden of Indianola, MS, two granddaughters; Leigh W. Lovelace of Indianola, MS and Laura W. Lancaster (Randall) of Birmingham, AL; four grandchildren, Leighton Lovelace of Indianola, MS, Lillian Lancaster, Virginia Lancaster and Luke Lancaster of Birmingham, AL. She also leaves many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185; McWilliams Family Endowment Fund #500596, MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, MS State, MS 39762; or a charity of your choice.

The service will be held at the Fort Myer Post Chapel on January 4, 2024 with a burial to follow at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Bolender family.