It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Tara Alicia Loflin.  She unexpectedly passed away on September 15, 2024 in her home in Virginia Beach, VA

Born December 10, 1985, Tara deeply cared for her family, immediate and extended.  Her daughter, Keeleigh, was her entire world who consumed her body and soul.  She loved her significant other, Jeffrey with a passion.  Her mom was her best friend while she spent many moments having debates with her father.  She loved to joke with her siblings and make each other laugh.  She had a huge heart for her entire family including, uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents.  She also had amazing friends in her life who became part of her extended family which she cherished.

Tara was a Girl Scout from a very young age, receiving her Gold Award at 17 years of age and then becoming a Girl Scout Leader for years afterward.  During that time she received “Outstanding Leader” award.

Tara joined Phi Sigma Sigma Gamma Chapter while she attended Virginia Commonwealth University.  Her sisters described her as fun loving and always down for a good time.

Tara graduated from Tidewater Community College with an Associates of Science with a Major in General Studies degree.

Tara’s interests included music of all genres, listening, dancing, and singing at a moment’s notice.  Her favorite genre was all types of Boy Bands with the number one band being Hanson.   She loved movies, especially 90’s rom-coms.  Her favorites were Empire Records and Mean Girls which she could recite word-for-word.  She loved to cook, and recently started working on her own cookbook.  She also recently fell in love with gardening.

Tara was a huge Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs basketball fan.  She supported Virginia Tech football, a love that she came by honestly from her grandfather, and on Sundays she was always ready to yell at her Washington Commanders.

Tara was survived by her daughter, Keeleigh Russell; significant other and life partner, Jeffery Dykes; mother, Rhonda McCartney, and father, Bryan Loflin; sister, Sara Ensley (Josh); brother, Jacob McCartney (Lindsey); nephew, Seth Ensley; niece, Lily Ensley; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  She was predeceased by her grandparents, Maurice and Roberta Early, and William and Sara Loflin.

The family invites you to gather at Family Choice Funerals and Cremations at 5401 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  A Celebration of Life party will be scheduled at a future date.

To honor Tara’s memory and the love she has for her daughter, please donate to Keeleigh’s college fund.