Carol Michelle Betlej Coyner passed away peacefully on Monday, June 23 at the age of 77. The daughter of Albert Norbert Betlej and Elizabeth Ann Dietrichsen Betlej, she was born on October 17, 1948 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1966 and went on to graduate from Slippery Rock College in 1970. Carol began her teaching career at Kate Collins Middle School in 1970 then moved to Waynesboro High School in 1980. She remained committed to teaching the importance of our nation's history and inner workings of its government. She took particular joy in teaching civics and African American studies. She retired in 2019 after 49 years of teaching during which the student body voted her "Favorite Teacher of the Year" ten times. She advocated for and supported students in and out of the classroom, building relationships that lasted long after graduation.

Carol was a voracious reader, having kept a list of all the books she read from the time she was 13 years old. She participated in several book clubs through the years, some spanning two decades.

Carol was a bleeding heart liberal and proud of it. She supported the Democratic Party in many ways through many elections. She and her husband were very vocal about their political beliefs and Carol used her many talents to help decorate for several Democratic Party events.
Carol loved her community - volunteering at the Frontier Culture Museum and acting as a guide at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia. Carol was kind, smart, and funny and will be deeply missed by those who loved her and learned from her.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Peyton; her parents and many beloved dogs, from Ring to Marley. She is survived by her brother Bill Betlej and his wife Sharon; her sister Lyn Chafetz; sister-in-law Carol Keene; nephew, Simon Chafetz and his wife Allie; and Andrew P. Keene and his wife Jeannette; nieces Erin Betlej-Stockdale and her husband Garrett; and Anna Betlej-Dunnivan and her husband Jesi; great-nephew, Asher Chafetz; and great-nieces, Sophia Betlej-Stockdale, Charlie Dunnivan, Allyson Keane, and Emily Keane.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Ruth Coyner, the many fellow teachers, and the staff at Brookdale Senior Living in Staunton, who diligently cared for Carol over the past months.

A memorial service celebrating Carol's life will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, June 26, 2025 in the auditorium of Waynesboro High School.

Memorials may be sent to Almost Home ASPCA, 29 Stagebridge Road, Lovingston, VA 22949.