Elizabeth Seay Fassnacht

Elizabeth “Betty” Seay Fassnacht, 88, of Signal Mountain, TN passed away Saturday, September 10, 2022. She was an active member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and helped establish a library there. Elizabeth was educated in Columbia, SC and graduated from Dreher High School in 1952 where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She continued her education at the University of South Carolina earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology and a secondary major in Secondary Education Science and Biology and was elected to the Student Council. She completed her Master’s Degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction in 1972 at the University of South Carolina.

In 1964 she and her husband Jim moved to Signal Mountain, Tennessee to raise their three children. Elizabeth received an endorsement in Administration & Supervision in 1978 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and completed post graduate work to earn +45 at UTC and Vanderbilt Universities. She was a Career Level III administrator. Elizabeth was a member of the Euphemian Literary Society, Alpha Kappa Delta, Chi Omega secretary, Pep Club secretary, Biology Club and Professor’s Assistant, on the YWCA cabinet and was a member of the Canterbury Club, Class Editor of the Garnet and Black College Annual and Freshman Handbook Editor.

Elizabeth began a career in 1950 with the Richland County Public Library until 1955. From 1956 to 1957 she worked with the American Pharmaceutical Association as a Research Librarian. She worked with the Hamilton County Department of Education from 1968 – 1999 in several different capacities from librarian to teacher, Science Coordinator and Principal. She served as principal for Bachman Elementary, Falling Water Elementary and Harrison Elementary Schools. Elizabeth was listed in Who’s Who in Education.

Elizabeth was Signal Mountain Woman of the Year in 2005 and was an original founder and board member of the Bachman Community Center. She served as President of the Signal Mountain Playhouse Board, Signal Mountain Genealogical Society, Signal Mountain Community Guild, and Council member at St. Augustine Church. Elizabeth was a member and officer of Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Teachers Society and Florence Crittenton Board, member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Chattanooga Area Regional Hosta Society, and held a Tennessee PTA Honorary Life Membership.

Elizabeth loved gardening and being involved in the community and church. Volunteering was a passion for her in retirement and was she was honored to receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award. She volunteered at the Mary Ellen Locker Breast Center, the Ronald McDonald House and many other local organizations.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Fassnacht, Sr. and her parents, Charles L. and Margaret Benns Seay.

Survivors include her three children, Eloise (John) George, James A. (Sonya) Fassnacht, Jr. and William Fassnacht; three grandchildren, Weston Fassnacht, Sam Fassnacht and Anna Fassnacht (Jonathan) Lee; and one brother, Charles L. (Denise) Seay.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Tuesday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road with Monsignor Al Humbrecht officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 – 2 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Special Growers

Provides job training and employment opportunities to individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.

https://www.specialgrowers.com/support-us/donations

Bachman Community Center

http://www.bachmancc.org/

Ronald McDonald House of Greater Chattanooga

https://rmhchattanooga.com/

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.