Suzanne W Johannessen
Born on February 28, 1941 in Richmond, VirginiaPassed on July 19, 2026 in West Melbourne, Florida
Suzanne Willis Johannessen, age 85, of West Melbourne, FL and, for more than 30 years a summer resident of Linville Land Harbor, Newland, NC., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 19, 2026 in Melbourne, FL. Suzanne was born on February 28, 1941 in Richmond, VA. Her parents Herbert and Esther Raymond Willis, moved from Farmville, Virginia to West Melbourne, FL in 1957.
Suzanne is preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Dr. Robert Paul Johannessen, who passed on June 19, 1992. Suzanne and Bob were high school sweethearts, with Suzanne graduating from Melbourne High School in 1959. Suzanne is also preceded in death by her second husband of 21 years, Col. Donald B. Ralph, USAF Ret., who passed on November 22, 2014.
Suzanne is survived by her sons, Robert Paul Johannessen Jr., (wife, Mary Johannessen), Dr. Karl David Johannessen, and her daughter, Kristen L. Johannessen (husband, Bruce S. Kaplan) and three grandchildren, Lindsey Johannessen Roosa (husband, Michael Roosa), David Andrew Johannessen and Reece Johannessen Kaplan and one great grandchild, Charlotte Grace Roosa. She is also survived by her two sisters, Jane Willis Morris (Virginia) and Ann Willis Gomez (Florida) and sister in law Carol Johannessen Couse (husband, Philip E. Couse).
Suzanne was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Oviedo, FL and Crossnore Baptist Church in Crossnore, NC.
Suzanne was an active singer in church choirs and a thespian in show groups at Indian River Colony Club (IRCC) in Melbourne, FL and at Linville Land Harbor, Newland, NC, where she actively participated in show groups. Throughout her marriages, Suzanne was a devoted golfer, and hesitant boater and RV enthusiast. Suzanne cherished her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains, admiring Grandfather Mountain from the loft of her N.C. cabin.
The celebration of life service will be conducted by Pastor Marc Brashear and held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 @ 10:30 am at Cornerstone Baptist Church @ 3370 Snow Hill Road, Oviedo.
The funeral service will be held at Brownlie-Maxell @ 1010 East Palmetto Ave., Melbourne, on Saturday, August 1, 2026 with visiting hour @ 9 am, service @ 10 am with gravesite service with internment @ Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 US 1, Rockledge @ 12 pm.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church @ 3370 Snow Hill Road, Oviedo.
Brownlie-Maxell in Melbourne, FL is serving the Johannessen family.
