Elizabeth "Betsy" McVay Austin Ernst. of Lutherville, MD, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at Gilchrist in Towson, Maryland. She was born on March 1, 1927, in Washington, D.C., and was the youngest child of Jason McVay Austin (1886-1966), a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, and Ruth Alice Doyen Austin (1894-1954).

She met her future husband, William "Bill" Ernst, when they were both 15 years old and living in Mt. Washington in Baltimore City. They eloped on August 31, 1946, and had a long and happy marriage. They had been married for 60 years when Bill passed away in 2007.

Betsy is survived by her four children – Barbara A. Newton of Cub Hill, John W. Ernst of Freeland, Robert M. Ernst of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Emily A. Burdick of York, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren – Kate Newton Schmelyun, Lisa Newton, Annie Covington, Alicia Brown, Jessica Fisher, Liz Ernst, Shannon Hrebik, and Teage Ernst; and eight great-grandchildren (and counting) – William and Elizabeth Schmelyun; Natalie, Aubrey, and Kourtney Hrebik; Everett Brown; Avery Fisher; and Hickory Covington.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her seven siblings – Jason McVay "Mac" Austin, Claude Fay Bass, Ruth Raymonde Thompson, Alice Lowe, Marshall Austin, Emily Geyer, and Robert Austin.

She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bowling, gardening, taking walks, fishing, and watching tennis and baseball. She also loved animals, especially horses, and she was an excellent cook.

There are no services planned at this time. Donations in her memory may be made to one's favorite charity.

Arrangements are being handled by Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield.

To send condolences to the family please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com