Betty Marie Fraley

Betty Marie Newman Fraley, age 91 of Winchester, passed away on January 31, 2026, at Highpoint Health Hospital in Winchester. She was born in Prairie Plains near Bradley's Creek in Coffee County on August 11, 1934, to the late William Calvin Newman and Sallie Harris Newman. Betty graduated from Coffee County High School before going on to Middle Tennessee State University and graduating in 1955 with a major in business education and minor in social science. She went on to obtain her master's degree in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University in 1982. For 37 years, Betty was an educator and at the young age of 82, she retired. Betty was a part of many professional memberships and awards, including: Franklin County Education Association, Tennessee Education Association, Long standing member of Franklin County Democrats, the Tennessee Democratic Party, Executive State Democratic Committee Woman, Tennessee Business Education Association, Southern Business Education Association, Legislative Board of the Tennessee Retired Teachers' Association, Chair of the Franklin County Retired Teachers' Legislative Committee, Helping Teachers Teach, Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Young Women of America, Who's Who Among American High School Teachers, Outstanding Service Award, Outstanding Educator Award, Honorary Member of Tennessee General assembly, State Adult Basic Education Teacher of the Year Nominee, and Level III Career Ladder Teacher. Betty had a major impact on community projects that she initiated and was involved with including: Franklin County Education Association, Governor's Alliance for a Drug-Free Tennessee, Tennessee Farm Bureau Woman serving as Secretary, Daughters of the American Revolution serving on the scholarship committee, Tennessee Executive, Jaycees serving as President, DAR Chapter Chair of the National Literacy Challenge Committee, and Franklin County Prevention Coalition. Other community service and extracurricular activities Betty was involved with include: Vacation Bible School, sponsor of the Young Democrats, sponsor of Just Say No, chairperson of American Education Week, served on a State Committee to set guidelines for Career evaluations, and evaluated schools for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for the State of Tennessee. Betty enjoyed playing bridge, square dancing, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved to watch MSNBC, Law and Order, CabaRay, and Lawrence Welk. Betty was a member of the Winchester Church of Christ, member of Senior Saints, Wings of Hope, and DAR. In addition to her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her husband, George W. Fraley; siblings, Charles H. Newman, Willie Ruth Zavatchen, William C. Newman Jr., Mildred Casteel, and Nell Pedigo. Betty is survived by her children, Beri N. (Kelly) Fraley, Beth Fraley; grandchildren, Anne Marie (Michael) Rainey, Laura Beth (Reed) Anderson, Becca (Chandler) James, Callie Elizabeth Eavey, Lindsey Leigh Eavey, Bailey Burns; great-grandchildren, Eliza Clay and Mack Rainey, Ryder Burns, and River Snider; and brother, George W. Newman. A visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 5pm-8pm at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1pm at the Winchester Church of Christ. Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Fraley Foundation at First Bank. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home 300 1st Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com