Bettylene Franzus

Bettylene Franzus, 86, of Johnson City passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at her residence in Johnson City, TN. She was born in Chicago, IL to the late Herman Aaron and Rosalie Freida Sudak Welsch. She had a long career as a high school science teacher in New Jersey. She returned to school soon after arriving in Johnson City in 1967 and earned her masters degree in microbiology. She then worked as a supervisor at Tacoma Lauglin Memorial Hospital in Greenville, TN. Bettylene then worked as a research assistant in the Department of Internal Medicine before retiring from the VA Medical Center in 2001. In 2002, she went to the Marshall Islands as a volunteer high school teacher and she remained there for five years, helping to create a work-study program in science fields for high school students. When she returned, she enrolled as a graduate student and earned a Masters of Education in School Library Media in 2010. She developed plans to modernize the school library at Majuro High School and at the time of her death she was reorganizing and cataloging the books and materials in the Betty Francis Ginsburg library at Bnai Sholom Congregation, Bristol, TN. where she also served as congregation vice president. She is preceded in death by: husband, Boris Franzus; son, Benjamin Samuel Franzus. Bettylene is survived by: two sons, Dr.David Harold Franzus of Kingsport, TN., Martin Joseph Franzus; four grandchildren, Jessica Scofield, Aaron Franzus, Jennifer Franzus Roberts, Ty Iaasc Franzus; three great grandchildren, Alivia Roberts, Leah Roberts, Joseph Roberts IV; and many friends. The family will receive visitors at the home of her son David, 3304 Hull Dr. Kingsport, TN. 37664, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Bnai Sholom Congregation, P.O. Box 271, Johnson City, TN. 37605-0271.