Ernie, as she was known by most, spent her early years on a farm in Snyder, TX. The daughter of Robert Caswell (RC) and Stella Bufkin McCormick. Stella passed away when Ernie was 6 years old. Her dad later married Allie McCormick, and the family lived on a farm in Little Elm, TX. Ernie had 3 younger siblings, Lyndon, Patti Jo, and Denny.
Ernie attended Denton High School where her classmates called her “Mac”. She went on to go to Dallas Business College, earning her Associate’s Degree. Ernie married and had three sons, James (JW), David, and Paul. Ernie adored her 3 sons, and they adored her. She worked at the First State Bank and was Dr. Erwin Pink’s office manager. She often joked about knowing how much money everyone had and what their medical problems were (for the record, she never mentioned names). She was also very active in the community and volunteered on various city projects, including the Youth Center.
She and Sonny Harris began a lifelong relationship while in Frisco, but moved to Liberty, Missouri, where they lived for many years. It was at this time that she gained a bonus daughter, Susie. She began working at The Hilton in Kansas City, where she proudly had the title of “Executive Secretary”. She worked directly for the Vice President of Operations for over 20 years. Working at the Hilton offered her many perks. She was proud to say that 4 presidents sat in her chair, Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan, and Vice President Bush. She was able to meet Ford, Carter, and Reagan.
Ernie and Sonny’s house in Missouri became the summer hangout for her grandkids. They ventured to the Hilton to swim in the indoor pool, they went to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, ate giant wheels of cheese on road trips, ate KFC chicken, and made many trips to the Plaza.
Vicki Vice, Jim Vice, Heidie Maikranz, Tammy Walker, Rodney Bolin, Julie Jones, Jeff Whitsell, Mandy Danielson, Travis Sutherland, and Matti Lacy could not have asked for a better grandmother. She and Sonny (by now Meme and Pops) would take in the grandkids for a week or two at a time and completely spoil them. Meme made sure each of her grandkids experienced something special on every trip; from Royals baseball games, Kansas City Chiefs games/practices, dinner theatres, dog races, passion plays, train rides, and Smithville Lake. She also took her grandkids on trips to Florida (Disney), Branson, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, St. Louis, and the Ozarks. Unbelievably, she survived the trips with few scars. When asked by people why she would take her grandkids on such adventures, she always quipped, “I’m trying to make memories.” She often told stories about her aunts and uncles doing similar things for her as child, and what a great impact they had on her life.
After retiring, Ernie and Sonny moved back to Texas. They hosted friends and family at the Gainesville “Bunkhouse”. There, she continued “making memories” for all of her family and friends. She often hosted holiday events, but none more special than the Easter gatherings at the “Bunkhouse”. Not only was the Bunkhouse a place for holiday gatherings, but it also became the “new” hangout spot for her 12 great-grandkids to make memories of their own. With her in tow they fished, played tennis, basketball, watched late night movies, and went to the area swimming parks/pools.
We all know that we are here to celebrate a life well lived. Ernie loved the Lord. She chose to be thankful for all she had regardless of the situation. She looked out for others and often took care of them. She was genuine and quite a character. She chose the name Rockefeller to get reservations at restaurants. She even used “a letter from Saint Peter” to prove her identity.
Ernie had friendships that spanned 60 years. She was part of Santa painting/crafting “Babe In Total Control of Herself” girl gang. She was the elder Babe and proud of it. She loved her sons, Sonny, and all her family and friends. Her stories and her humor will always be with us. She always said, “I sure dread getting old.” She will be missed by all that crossed her path. She gave everyone her time, and yet in her elder years she consistently told whoever would listen HOW BLESSED SHE WAS TO HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL LIFE.
Ernie is survived by her sons, James Bolin of Whitesboro, David Bolin of Howe, and Paul Bolin of Whitesboro; her bonus daughter, Susie Whitsell; her grandchildren, Vicki Vice, Jim Vice, Heidie Maikranz, Tammy Walker, Rodney Bolin, Julie Jones, Jeff Whitsell, Mandy Danielson, Travis Southerland, and Matti Lacy; fourteen (14) great-grandchildren; her sister, Patti Jo Jouett; her brother, Denny McCormick; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Sonny Harris; her parents, Stella and Caswell McCormick; her stepmother, Allie McCormick; and her brother, Caswell Lyndon McCormick.
The family invites you to a Visitation at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow, 8520 Main Street, Frisco, Texas, on Sunday, November 20, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will be Monday, November 21, 2022, at Little Elm Cemetery, 16594 King Road, Little Elm, Texas.