Kathie Spear Bennison died on June 24, 2021 at 72 years of age. She is preceded in death by her parents, Barbara Tuttle Spear and Arlie Spear of Roanoke, and by her younger sister Sue Spear Blackwell.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Roger Bennison, and by her older sister Margaret Nedrow and husband David, all of Roanoke; nieces Ellen Nedrow Sullivan and Kerri Blackwell Montgomery, nephews David Nedrow and Ryan Blackwell; several great-nieces and great-nephews. Kathie was known as a great friend to all, especially her dear friends Nina Garrett of Amherst and Julia Akers of Roanoke.