Louise Bland

Louise Carter Bland CHESAPEAKE - Louise Carter Bland died April 19, 2011 in Chesapeake. She was 89. She was born Lillian Louise Carter June 8, 1921 in Woodland, N.C., to Walter W. and Chloe McDaniel Carter. Louise graduated from Woodland - Olney School in Woodland before attending Louisburg College and then on to East Carolina Teachers College, now East Carolina University, where she graduated with a degree in elementary education. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 55 years, Haywood Gilbert Bland Jr.; and sister, Frances Hoggard. Survivors include a sister, Mary Ellen Arney; her three sons, Haywood Gilbert Bland III and wife Carolyn, Walter Douglas Bland and wife Deirdre, and David Wayne Bland and wife Marianne Roos; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Louise's first teaching job out of college was at the Hookerton Elementary School. She soon returned to Woodland to teach at the Woodland - Olney School before marrying. After she and Haywood married they moved to Norfolk where Louise taught the 5th grade for more than 15 years. She later went on to night school to get her degree in library science and became a school librarian for 10 more years. Louise was known for her delicious southern cooking, beautiful handmade quilts and cross stitches, and ability to figure crossword puzzles. She was the calm influence on her family of strong-willed personalities. She was a selfless mother to her three sons and to all who knew her. She was a devoted wife and mother and will be sorely missed. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, at Great Bridge United Methodist Church, 201 Stadium Drive, Chesapeake. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. The Bland family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Chesapeake Place for their wonderful care of Louise Bland. Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, Great Bridge Chapel, Chesapeake. Friends are also invited to send condolences and sign the online guestbook at www.omanfh.com.