Ernestine Louise Bustamente December 7, 1933 - September 11, 2024 Ernestine "Ernie" Bustamente age 90 of La Vernia, Texas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday September 11, 2024. Ernie was born on December 7, 1933 in El Paso, Texas to W. Ernest and Leila (Sommers) Cox.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leila Sommers Cox and W. Ernest Cox; Spouse, Oscar Bustamente, her son James "Jimmy" Kennedy III; Daughter, Donna Owens; Sisters, Betty Houle and Norma Gad; Grandson, Jason McCoy; and Great Grandson Owen Martin.

Survivors include her Daughters, Kathy Garza and Julie Guest; Granddaughters, Melissa Bridges, Kelly Martin, and Natali Garza; Great Grandchildren, Kyah Martin and Ethan Garza and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Ernie graduated from Austin High School and married her high school sweetheart, James Kennedy. She worked for the U.S. Government for 38 years, starting at Fort Bliss as a payroll clerk in 1957 and eventually transferring to the U.S. Customs Service, where she retired in 1995. Ernie was the first woman to become U.S. Customs inspector at the Port of Houston. She often had to board ships in the middle of the night as soon as they docked. Many were skeptical about putting a woman in this position, as she often had to climb to the top of ships to gauge tanks and climb up on crates to inspect shipments. However, she showed them that a woman could do it!

Ernie was beloved by many and never met a stranger, making numerous lifelong friends who knew she was always up for a good time! Her spunky and sometimes sassy but always fun personality will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ernestine's celebration of life will be on November 9th, 2024 at 5 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn, "Sabine Room", 2131 North Highway 35, San Marcos, TX 78666, with Chaplain Madeline Hoffman officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Guadalupe County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1593, Seguin, TX, 78155-1593 or any humane society of choice or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 ST Jude PL, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105-9959.