Ernestine Holt Bridges, was born on August 25, 1935 to Ernest & Hattie Dee Holt in Blytheville, AR and went to be with her Lord Saturday morning May 20, 2017.Ernestine and Louis met in Dallas and were married on November 5, 1971.Her husband Louis says anything good in his life, she either brought or made happen.She loved people and loved to help others.She was a loving and wonderful wife throughout these years and a great mother and “Memaw” to her children and grandchildren. Ernestine was a long time resident of Mesquite, TX where she was an active and influential in politics and her church community.Since the early 1980’s Ernestine held various positions of leadership throughout Mesquite & Dallas County. She was a Dallas County Election Judge for 20+ years, PTA president multiple times over, held several leadership roles in Mesquite Republican Women’s Club, was District Director of Texas Federation of Republican Women, and was honored with many civic awards including City of Mesquite Citizen of the Year 2002-2003, and Dallas County Republican Party’s “Volunteer of the Year” in 2013. Ernestine was a Christian and member of Sunnyvale First Baptist Church for many years.She was a frequent volunteer and greeted children on Sunday mornings in the nursery.She especially enjoyed AWANAs, teaching Bible verses to children and helping them learn about Jesus. She is preceded in death by her eldest son, Martin Peterson, grandson, Trace Thornton, and her parents. She is survived by her husband Louis E. Bridges, Jr.Also surviving are her children Jennifer, John, and Nina; grandchildren Alexis, Ben, Beth and Noah, and her brothers Jack and Robert Holt. Visitation is from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday May 22, 2017 at New Hope Funeral Home, 500 E. Hwy 80 Sunnyvale, TX 75182. The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM on Tuesday May 23, 2017, also at New Hope Funeral Home.Reverend Dyrle W. Phillips will be officiating.