Mrs. Betts Moreland McGinnis

Betts Moreland McGinnis, 59, of Johns Creek, Georgia passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2010. She was born on October 31, 1950 and is an Atlanta native. She attended Briarlake Elementary School, graduated from Tucker High School in 1968, is a 1972 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Special Education, and later obtained her six year degree in Administrative Supervision from Georgia State University. She is survived by her husband of 25 years Jack L. McGinnis, mother Gertrude Moreland, brother Dr. & Mrs. (Pam) Bion Moreland, Jr., step-son and daughter- in -law Mr. & Mrs. Andy (Laura) McGinnis of Lake Wales, Florida, granddaughters Meredith and Elizabeth McGinnis, and nieces Whitney Moreland and Kristian Zanone, and many members of the McGinnis family. In addition to attending Dekalb County Schools, her entire professional career was spent in the same school system. Betts began her career as a special education teacher at Montgomery Elementary School. She both taught and later supervised other special education teachers. In 1989 she became an assistant principal of Miller Grove Middle School. She was appointed the first principal of Henderson Middle School and transitioned from a high school to a middle school in 1996. She served in this capacity until 2002 and retired in 2003. Her service in education was based on helping the children she loved and cared about. She will be remembered as an ultimate professional educator, in that every decision she made was based on the best interests of the children she served. Her absolute passion in this world was inspiring and mentoring students and teachers. She touched thousands of lives, and this is a better world since Betts McGinnis served these children and teachers in her various leadership roles. The family will receive visitors on Friday, October 15 at the McGinnis home from noon until 8:00 pm. Visitation will be held at Roswell Funeral Home on Saturday, October 16th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A private interment will be at Arlington Cemetery Sunday at 2:30 for family and close friends. A memorial service will be held on Sunday at 4:00 pm at Roswell Presbyterian Church with Dr. Lane Alderman and Dr. Margaret Turney-Ayer officiating with a reception following. Memorial contributions may be made in Betts' honor to the Geneva Classical Academy, www.genevaclassicalacademy.com , Lakeland, Fl or Roswell Presbyterian Church, Victory Lap, www.roswellpres.org. Roswell Funeral home has been entrusted with the family's care.