Suzanne Frances Johnson
YORKTOWN - Suzanne Frances Johnson, our beloved daughter and sister, died while diving the shipwreck "Norman" in Lake Huron, Michigan, on July 11, 2004. She is survived by her parents, Gerald and Natalie Shrader, of Yorktown, Va., and brother, Aaron Johnson, of Hampton, Va. Her father, Paul Roger Johnson, of Scotia, N.Y., predeceased her. Suzanne is also survived by aunts, uncles, and cousins in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont, in whose lives she was a bright and shining star. She graduated from Tabb High School in York County, Va. For the past 24 years, her home was in North Carolina. She attended Duke University and earned a degree in history from North Carolina Central University. For 13 years, Suzanne was employed in the Durham City Police Dept. where she was promoted to sergeant, also serving on specialized teams including the Selected Enforcement Team (SET). She next developed a passionate love of diving and worked at "Water World" in Durham as dive store manager and diving instructor. A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be conducted by Police Dept. Chaplain Phil Wiggins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, her 43rd birthday, at Duke Memorial Methodist Church in Durham. The following day, according to her wishes, her ashes will be scattered in the ocean near Morehead City, N.C. Suzanne gave and received love in abundance. We give thanks that although "absent in the body, she is present with the Lord" who loves her in the most perfect way. Memorial donations may be sent to the World Hunger Relief Fund, c/o Baptist International Mission Board, PO Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23232; or to the Durham Crises Response Center, 206 N. Dillard St., Durham, NC 27701. Suzanne's family thanks you, for truly "We have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:13). Amory Funeral Home, Grafton, Va., is in charge of local arrangements.