Ernestine "Ernie" Lafferty, 83, passed away surrounded by her family on August 8, 2013. A Memorial Service to celebrate Ernie's life will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Connally Compton Funeral Directors Chapel. The Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service, light refreshments will be provided.Ernie was born in Hamlin Texas, July 14, 1930 to Ernest and Mary Bessire. She grew up in Brownwood, Texas and married Robert Lee Lafferty, her high school sweetheart. Ernie and Bob had six children and, upon Bob's death at an early age, Ernie was left to raise her six children as a single mother at age 36. Ernie then went to work full time, went to school fulltime and raised her six kids on her own, eventually becoming an LVN then a RN. Ernie's sole job in life was as a nurse at Hillcrest Baptist Hospital where she worked in labor and delivery and the newborn nursery for over thirty years. If you were born at Hillcrest Hospital between 1973 and 2002 the odds are good that Ernie took care of you as a newborn.Ernie was a champion of liberal causes and a vocal advocate for the underdog in all respects. She was a lifelong, staunch Democrat and member of the ACLU for all of her adult years. Ernie was the most compassionate, caring person in the world and gladly supported those causes and charities that were committed to improving the lives of the less fortunate. Her dedication to her profession and her incomparable work ethic were two of her proudest accomplishments. Ernie was an avid reader and instilled a love of reading in all of her children which continues to this day. She was also an eclectic music lover who appreciated every genre of music from country to rock and roll.Ernie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, and three sons. Those remaining behind to celebrate her life and legacy are sons, Robert Ernest Lafferty of Spicewood, Texas, Larry Glynn Lafferty and wife Beverly of Waco, Texas; daughter-in-law Eva Lafferty; daughter Merrilee Harmon Dunnam and husband Vance of Waco, Texas; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, lifelong friend, Marcie McCaig, and a host of other friends who loved her and who she loved dearly.The family appreciates the love and care given to Ernie over the last several years by the dedicated staff at Regent Care Center of Waco and Bluebonnet Hospice. They not only provided her nursing care, but they strove hard to improve her quality of life when it mattered most.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ernie's honor to the charity or cause of your choice to benefit the quality of life of those less fortunate.