Elizabeth Crawford Ehlers

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.

Born Sept. 8, 1923, in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, to William and Hannah Bell, Betty came to the United States with her family when she was 5. 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. After 41 years in Norwalk, in 2007 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 (Conn.) 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.

Besides her parents and husband, Betty 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., David Givens and wife Jamie of Manchester, N.H.; and six great-grandchildren: Justin, Kayla, Maggie, Grace, Hannah and Garrett.

She is also survived by three nieces, Janis Sturgis, Lesley Yockachonis, and Laura Vieu; four nephews, Bruce Bell, Alan Williamson, John Bell, and William Bell; their children and many other family members and friends in the U.S. and Scotland.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Jamestown Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg. The family asks that any donations go to the Arthritis Foundation.