Elizabeth “Betty” Crawford Ehlers, of Williamsburg, died May 11, 2014, at her home after a long, happy life. She was 90.
She was known by many names: Ma, Grandma, Nana, Aunt Betty. On her 68th Mother’s Day, she earned a new name, Angel, as she passed peacefully from this life into the next.
She was born Sept. 8, 1923, in Kirkcaldy, Scotland to William and Hannah Bell and came to the United States with her family when she was 5 years old. She spent her childhood in New York City, where her father was a bandmaster with the Salvation Army. She became an American citizen at age 24.
In 1959, she and her husband, Donald, moved to Norwalk, Conn., with their daughter, Elizabeth. In 2007, after 41 years in Norwalk, she moved to Williamsburg. She loved being around people, especially her family, and would strike up conversations with everyone. She cherished the time spent with her great-grandchildren.
After her early years in the Salvation Army church, she became a Methodist and was a member of Norwalk United Methodist Church and then at Wellspring United Methodist Church in Williamsburg. She sang as an alto in the choir and was always part of a sewing circle, knitting sweaters and hats for babies in hospitals.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, John Bell; sister, Hannah Williamson; and great-grandson, Tyler Walsh.
She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Hannah Givens and son-in-law, Dave Givens, of Williamsburg; four grandchildren, Kimberly Root and husband, Brian, of Hampton, Meredith O’Brien, of Williamsburg, Patricia Walsh, of Goffstown, N.H. and David Givens and wife, Jamie, of Manchester, N.H.; six great-grandchildren, Justin, Kayla, Maggie, Grace, Hannah and Garrett; three nieces, Janis Sturgis, Lesley Yockachonis and Laura Vieu; four nephews, Bruce Bell, Alan Williamson, John Bell and William Bell and their children; and many other family members and friends in the United States and Scotland.
A memorial service was held Sunday, May 18, 2014, at Jamestown Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg.
The family asks that any donations go to the Arthritis Foundation.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
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