Susan Gutshall Bennett

May 15, 1957 - January 21, 2021

Susan “Susie” Gutshall Bennett followed country roads that began in Almost Heaven West Virginia on May 15, 1957, to the real Heaven on January 21, 2021, where we know she was welcomed by family and friends. She was the daughter of the late Louie Ellis and Ruth Riley Gutshall. She was a graduate of Elkins High School and held degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from West Virginia University (B.S.) and the University of South Carolina (M.S.). Although this was a life cut too short, Susie made an impact that will live on in those she loved. Her number 1 love was her daughter Erin (with husband Shawn). She loved her nephews Zach and Sam like they were her sons. Susie’s career was focused on working with and advocating for people with autism. She adored her “kids” and their families; she enjoyed sharing stories about them and celebrated their every accomplishment. Susie was blessed with family (who were friends) and friends (who showed up like family). They were lights of kindness and unconditional love – the finest example of goodness in a world that could use more of it. Susie loved her West Virginia Mountaineers, the Clemson Tigers, and her trivia team. Like any true Mountaineer, she had no love for Pitt. She loved God, our country and its veterans. Susie wouldn’t want us to be sad. She would want us to do something kind, laugh, listen to music, and to smile when we think of her, as her sense of humor was ever present. Susie is survived by her daughter Erin Bennett Deery and husband Shawn of Columbia, SC, sister Molly Gutshall Harner (Harry), nephews Zachary Harner (Mary Peyton) and Sam Harner (Elena Patchan), aunts, an uncle, and several cousins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her grandparents Ellis and Louvilla Gutshall and Vincent and Veronica Riley, her love Lou Eslinger, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. A celebration of life will be held in several months (after there is no COVID-19 risk). Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home (https://www.stoudenmiredowling.com) is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: The Florence Area Humane Society, 1434 McCurdy Road, Florence SC 29506 The Manna House, P.O. Box 13541, Florence SC 29504. "Anyone familiar with my mother knew that she wouldn’t want her friends and family to mourn her passing. She would want us to celebrate her life and she would want us to do it when we could all celebrate together. Unfortunately, given the situation with COVID-19, we are currently unable to host the celebration she deserves. As such, the family is planning to host a Celebration of Life as soon as it can be safely conducted. We are asking all those who would be interested in attending to provide their contact information by clicking on the following hyperlink and completing the form: https://forms.gle/niYK86jCCeJT8GsS8. Any information you provide will only be visible to the family and will only be used to send invitations once the details of her celebration are confirmed. If you have issues with the link you can send an email to [email protected] Words cannot express how grateful we are for everyone’s support. It is truly touching to see how loved she was and how many lives she impacted. We hope to see you all soon."