Kitty McConnell Henninger

Kitty Marvin McConnell Henninger was born on September 18, 1932, in Abingdon, VA, the youngest of four children of Charles Lee and Catherine Sanders McConnell. She died April 29, 2026, in Newnan, GA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Clark Henninger and her son, David Lee Henninger (Dree) as well as by her parents and siblings. Kitty graduated from Abingdon's William King High School in May of 1950 and attended Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA, leaving after her sophomore year to marry her high school sweetheart, Gerry Henninger, in 1952. When his military duties posted him to Alaska during the Korean Conflict, Kitty stayed with family in Abingdon with their newborn daughter, Ginny. Kitty was an active Presbyterian her whole life, from Sinking Spring Presbyterian in Abingdon to Newnan Presbyterian in Newnan, serving in youth groups, Presbyterian Women, Sunday School teacher, as a Deacon and as an Elder. She was also a member of garden clubs in Roanoke and in Abingdon, of Black's Fort Chapter of the DAR, and was active in the historical societies of both Roanoke and Washington County. She enjoyed water skiing in her youth, history, and playing bridge, and she always had a book available to read. She served on the Veterans Memorial Park Board in memory of her brother Charles Lee McConnell, who was killed in action in World War II in Italy, as well as the Whites Mill Board, the Sinking Spring Cemetery Committee, and the Abingdon Town Tourism Committee. She is survived by children, Virginia Henninger Lyles (Dale), Charles Clark Henninger (Melissa), and Daniel Marvin Henninger (Linda); grandchildren, Hugh Rickenbaker (Erika), Grayson Lyles (Kristin), Holly Henninger Showalter (Josh), Katy Henninger Hott (Matt), Joseph Henninger, Ethan Henninger (Kacy), James Henninger (Addie), Madeleine Henninger, Matthew Henninger; great-grandchildren, Parker and Ashton Hott, Brynlee Henninger; nieces and nephews, Carol Lee Shankel, Anna Catherine Shankel, Sanders McConnell (Debbie), Rachel McConnell Palko (David) , Michael McConnell (Valerie); additional great-nieces and nephews; and cousins Phil Clark, Laura Clark Johnson (Norman), Helen McConnell, Betty Ringley. The family would like to thank the staff of Corinth Road Personal Care Home who took such good care of Kitty in recent years: Ann Cowan, Elizabeth Cannon, Erine McAfee, Alecia Moody, Terra Presley; and the caring staff from Sacred Journey Hospice: Michelle Arnold, Jennifer Hester, and Darcie Jones, Chaplain. A memorial service will be held at a later date. She will be interred in Knollkreg Cemetery in Abingdon, VA, next to her husband of 65 years, Gerry Henninger. Online condolences can be shared by visiting www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory, 770-253-4580

Kitty McConnell Henninger

September 18, 1932 - April 29, 2026