Susan Raye Landis

Susan Raye Landis, age 69, died at her home in Murphy, NC, on August 9, 2025. She was born on September 9, 1955, in Chattanooga, TN.

Susan is preceded in death by her mother, Johnnie Eldridge; brother, Stuart Eldridge; and sister, Donnie Kerr Castillo.

Susan is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Frank Landis; daughters, Marie Landis (Allison Christofis), Claire (Garrett) Davis, and Lucy (Michael) Ellis; granddaughters, Amerika and Sunny; and sister-in-law, Lisa Eldridge. She is deeply missed by her extended family and many lifelong friends, notably the Virgos and Women's Group.

Susan was a graduate of Chattanooga City High School (1972) and UTC. She worked with psychiatric patients before becoming a school psychologist in Hamilton County for decades. She was a mentor to many.

Susan was fun to be around. She always knew how to cheer up whoever was lucky enough to be in her company, which was good because she did not tolerate wallowing. She loved old movies, colorful attire, and dogs with soft ears.

She enjoyed camping, and spent many summers on road trips across the U.S. and Canada. She had a wonderful sense of direction - in both the literal and figurative sense. She fervently believed in our moral obligation to leave the world a better place than we found it. Most of all, she loved being with her family. Her marriage to Frank is a shining example of a loving, lifelong partnership.

In 2013, Susan and Frank retired to Murphy, NC. She was a proud lifelong Democrat and was involved in the Tri-County Democratic Women's group. She ran for the NC State House of Representatives in 2020 to give voters a choice. She loved living in the mountains of Western NC and watching the deer (and an occasional bear) from her living room window.

Susan was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2021. The family is grateful to the medical professionals who cared for her: Dr. Elizabeth Wiles, DO, of Blairsville Internal Medicine; Dr. Aaron Schueneman, MD, of Georgia Cancer Specialists; and Hospice of North Carolina (especially CNAs Jasmine and Krista). Susan's daughters are proud of and eternally grateful to their dad for his years of devoted, loving care.

Susan will be missed tremendously and her absence felt by many. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements for a memorial celebration will be announced at a later date. Susan has requested that you wear something colorful! (And Frank hopes that you be joyful!)