Dena Spencer

Dena Snyder Spencer (endearingly known as ‘Bear’) passed on March 17, at 1:21 p.m. She died peacefully surrounded by her family and in the arms of her husband, Todd Spencer; and daughter, Kacey Carson. Dena was born on March 22, 1968, in Roanoke, VA to Robert Snyder and Nancy Cadd. She was a devoted daughter to her birth parents and her step-parents, Harry and Pat Lucas, and Dr. James “Jimmy” Robert Cadd. Dena was raised by her grandparents, Paw Paw and Nana (Otis and Violet Irvin). Paw Paw was well known as her favorite person, and she would often recount eating his yummy fried potatoes while cuddling in his lap.

Despite being an introvert, Dena loved people. She radiated kindness and wanted to befriend everyone she crossed paths with. Dena believed in others even when they didn't believe in themselves and was a constant source of motivation and encouragement. She was also an avid peacekeeper and endlessly forgiving. As a laid-back kid-at-heart, Dena loved her hoodies, cozy blankets, and her fur babies. She was a ruthless Canasta player and adored giggling with friends on a snowy day, by the pool, or around a table of board games. She adopted so many friends into her life as family and had the rare ability to bring together the most unlikely friends. Everyone who spent time with her came out a better person.

She grew up in the same household as her brother, Robert “Robbie” Snyder; and sister, Sherry Ferguson, and continued to be an involved older sister, to Crystal Arrington and Bradley Lucas despite moving to marry her first husband, John Price in 1987. She also sought a connection to her half-siblings in California, Richard Snyder and Drena Case. As a sister, Dena’s caring personality shined. She always made time to lend an ear, go on a drive, or just hang out no matter how busy she was.

In 2016, Dena married her high school sweetheart, Todd Spencer on her favorite holiday; Halloween. Halloween costumes were required attire, giving tribute to how fun-loving and free-spirited Dena and her husband were. She and Todd remained close friends with her ex-husband, John, and his current wife, Cheryl. Dena was certainly patient to have dealt with two goofball husbands in her lifetime.

As a mom to two children, Jonathan “Zak” Price and Kacey Carson, Dena worked tirelessly to ensure her babies were properly spoiled with their favorite foods, endless support for their hobbies and aspirations, and an empathetic shoulder to lean on. She was known to bend over backward many times over to ensure her kids were happy and gave them the space to become the unique individuals that they are. Dena always said, “you’ll always be my baby, no matter how old you get”, and often continued to cuddle her adult children when they were sick or just needed to watch a cozy movie with mom. She proclaimed the kids as her greatest accomplishment in life and was known by her friends and family to beam with pride and joy when bragging about them.

Dena was Gam-Bear to Zak and Donna Price’s 6 children, John, Mason, Scott, Gavin, Sophie, and Quade. Gam-Bear loved to spoil the babies with their favorite toys and treats and strived to ensure that all 6 kids were happy, heard, and comfy with cozy pajamas and blankies.

She loved her daughter-in-law Donna, son-in-law Zack Carson, her grandson by marriage Christian Maitland, nieces and nephews, and children of friends as if they were her own.

Dena’s only dying wish was for her friends and family to be okay, especially her children and grandbabies; she knows their hearts will be broken and never fully heal, but she wants them to continue loving life in her memory.

A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at 3 p.m. on March 22, 2023, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, VA. Friends may visit with the family from 2 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home. Anyone that knew Dena knows that she would want everyone to wear what they find comfortable; this could be your best-dressed attire if you'd like to honor her that way, or your comfiest hoodie and jeans.

We will follow with a gathering of friends and family at our dear friend Nan's farm in Craig County for good food and a celebration of life by a campfire. Nan's farm is one of mom's favorite places and is full of memories of fun and friendship. This will be a potluck event. Please contact Kacey Carson for the address if you'd like to join.

Memorial donations can be given to the ASPCA, The Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley, the Hospice Foundation of America, or similar charities that support causes that Dena was passionate about.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.