Nancy Elizabeth was the second child born to John Wesley Crim and his first wife, Sarah Ann Drucilla Moore. For most of her life she was known as Bettie.

Bettie would have three full siblings: older brother, Eli, and younger brothers, Peter and John Akin. Sadly, her mother died in May 1852, shortly after John Akin's birth. Bettie was not yet four years old.

With the reality of three small children and a newborn infant to care for, along with farming to make a living for them, Bettie's father didn't have much time to mourn the loss of his beloved Sarah. In July 1852, only two months after Sarah's death, the widowed John Wesley married his second wife, Harriet E. Daniel. They would have three children, James "Jim" Thomas, William Henry "Henry", and Wesley Lafayette.

Bettie was left without a mother again sometime between the ages of nine and ten. Speculation is that her step-mother, Harriet, died from complications of Wesley's birth in December 1857 or the later birth of a child who did not survive. In any event, Harriet was gone when John Wesley married his third wife, Minerva Caroline Ro(d)gers in June 1859. Minerva would be the mother that John Wesley's children from his first two marriages remembered and knew best. Oral history is that she was much loved by all of them.

At a young age, Bettie had already had more than her share of sorrows and had to grow up quickly. As the only daughter to that point, she undoubtedly was called on to help her father and then her new stepmother who, as a young woman herself, took on the responsibility of John Wesley's seven children.

Before her own marriage at age 29, Bettie remained "at home" with her father and step-mother and their growing family which grew to include Joshua, Mary Anjaline, Martha Jane, Abraham (died in infancy), Zillah Catherine, Ammie Zoniah, and Robert "Bob" David. Bettie's youngest half-sibling, Jesse Lee, was born after she was married and out of the household.

On September 9, 1877, Bettie married John Thomas Lynch in Shelby County, Alabama. Four children were born to Bettie and John Thomas: Minnie Lee on January 4, 1879; Wesley McCarter on October 23, 1881; Sidney "Sid" Eli on April 19, 1886; and Iva Drucilla on January 25, 1891.

Bettie passed away on February 18, 1922, only four months after her husband's death in October 1921. They are both buried at the Mount Era Cemetery which is affiliated with the Mount Era United Methodist Church and located just across the road (Highway 26) from the church.

Below is a tribute to Bettie written shortly after her death. It was copied from an old newspaper clipping and the author, "A Friend", is unknown.

"A TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF MRS. ELIZABETH LYNCH

"Saturday afternoon, Feb. 18th, 1922, between the hours of three and four, the earthly career of Mrs. Elizabeth Lynch came to a close.

"There comes to us all sometime, some way, sorrow that for the moment seems to pluck from our hearts our very life's blood, and we feel a longing for a haven of refuge where we may be forever free from such bitter pangs.

"How blessed is a man that he is neither permitted to press aside nor to pierce the curtain veil that hides and obscures the trials, sorrows and disasters that the morrow may bring.

"She has had her last trial, her last temptation, and has gone to join the redeemed at God's right hand.

"Mrs. Lynch was the most unselfish person I have ever known. Her life was characterized by faith, simplicity, gentleness and charity. In all relations of life she was sincere and genuine. Her devotion to her family was tender and beautiful. She made home a place of usefulness and happiness. A burden bearer and comfort to all who were distressed; to her children a refuge in time of trouble. Her loss to them is great and will be long felt, but it is a sweet and consoling thought to the bereaved that her battle has been fought and her victory won.

"No woman ever lived who did more for the relief of those sick, who had more patience and greater capacity than did she, and who did it with more pleasure and less complaining. She was never happier than when serving others. She had her own sorrows and her own heartaches, but she made it a matter between herself and her God and did not burden her friends and loved ones with them.

"A grand and noble woman has gone from us, and a sweet spirit has taken flight to the spirit world, but her influence will live among us for she has left her impression indelibly stamped on the things about her.

"She leaves an aged stepmother, six brothers, three sisters, two grandchildren and three children: Sidney, of Ensley; Iva of Mt. Era; and Mrs. C. B. Davis of Mt. Era, with whom she has made her home since the death of her husband Oct. 6th [sic, should be Oct. 4th], 1921.

"May her stricken relatives and friends strive to emulate her character and virtues and may God comfort her dear ones and enable us all to live that we may meet her again in the life of resurrection.

"A Friend."
* * * * * * *