Susan Stevenson Landis

We mourn a bright soul who contributed so much to her family, her friends, her community, our state and her vocation. Susan Stevenson Landis put her heart and soul into every aspect of her life. She was selflessly devoted to every organization and activity with which she became involved. Her loss will be felt by all who knew her.

Susan was born April 3, 1943. The daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Clifford A. Stevenson, she attended schools all over the United States , graduating from Churchland High School in Portsmouth, Va. Susan earned her BA in Psychology from the College of William and Mary, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and completing her Masters in Education at Old Dominion University and the University of Virginia.

Upon graduation, she held various counseling and teaching positions before relocating to Beckley, WV, in 1963, where she later became the Manager of the Beckley Bone and Joint Clinic.

Upon her arrival in Beckley, Susan became a very active member of the community serving on countless boards including: The Board of Directors of the Youth Museum of Southern WV, Past President of Woodcliff Garden Club, Board of Directors of the Beckley-Raleigh County YMCA, Chair of the WinterPlace Junior Race Team, Officer of the Raleigh County Medical Auxiliary, and Friends of the Library, Board of Directors of Theatre of West Virginia, Board of Directors of the United Way of Southern WV, Beckley Rotary Club, Board of Trustees of Virginia Episcopal School, Trustee Emeritus, Mountain State University, Board of Trustees Concord University Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors of the Beckley Area Foundation. Susan did not just serve on these boards, she worked diligently with every organization, exemplifying the true spirit of volunteerism.

In 1994 Susan became the Executive Director of the Beckley Area Foundation; a position she held till her death on Friday, July 14, 2017. Through her position at BAF, Susan became an active member of The WV Consortium of Community Foundations, which is now WV Grantmakers, The WV Commission for National and Community Service, Leave a Legacy and Philanthropy WV.

To say that she loved the Arts is an understatement, she was passionate about them! Susan was well known all over WV for her work with the arts. She was the current Chair of the WV Commission of the Arts, a member of the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of the National Assembly of State Arts Associations and WV Public Broadcasting Board of Directors.

Susan received countless awards throughout her life including: the Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce “Outstanding Community Service Award”, Theatre WV” Bravo Award” 1999, 2001 Charter Communications “Cool Woman Award”, 2002 and 2003 Beckley Rotarian of the Year Award and 2004 Paul Harris Award, 2005, Service Above Self award from the Beckley Rotary Club. Susan was recognized by President George W Bush when he visited Beckley in 2004, for her hours of volunteer service exceeding 4,000 lifetime hours offer by the United States Freedom Corps and in 2002 The Beckley Raleigh County YMCA’s Spirit of Beckley Award.

If you were to ask Susan which of the awards she cherished most she would tell you that the greatest honor of all was as Mother to her son Andrew Ellsworth Landis III (Sharon) and Grandmother of Madilyn Rose Pappas-Landis of Boulder, CO. Additionally, Susan is survived by a brother, Clifford A Stevenson, and family of Athens OH. She is also survived by her “family of friends” and numerous cousins.

A Celebration of the Life of Susan Stevenson Landis will be held Wednesday, July 19, at The Beckley Presbyterian Church, 203 South Kanawha St. Beckley, WV, at 1:00 in the afternoon.

The family request donations be made to the fund of choice at the Beckley Area Foundation., 129 Main Street, Suite 301, Beckley WV, 25801