Ernestine Bright

Ernestine Bright, affectionately known as ‘Tee’, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, December 9, 2013 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was born on November 15, 1940, in Princess Anne County, Virginia to John T. and Margaret L. Woodhouse. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell W. Bright, Sr.

Before relocating to Virginia Beach, Tee was a long-time resident of Jacksonville, North Carolina, where she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Broadhurst, where her talents in the kitchen were well-received by her church family.

Tee worked in the healthcare field as a Certified Nursing Assistant for over 50 years and was a member of Guiding Light Temple #768 for many years. She never missed a convention with Guiding Light Temple or an opportunity to visit the casinos during her travels.

Tee touched the lives of many people with her smile, her generosity, and her excellent culinary skills. In addition to her passionate love of family and friends, she loved to cook and was best known for her renowned barbecued pig's feet, fried crabs, macaroni and cheese, and sweet potato soufflé. Tee also loved to entertain. Her doors were always open and you knew you would get a great meal and challenged to a trash-talking game of bid whist; she was the self-proclaimed Bid Whist Queen. Tee was also known for her love of beautiful hats. Today, we wear Tee’s hats in her honor, but know that none of us can “work” a hat as she did.

Ernestine is survived by her mother, Margaret L. Woodhouse of Virginia Beach; her brother, Frank Woodhouse of Virginia Beach; her daughter, Revenia Bright Neufville of Virginia Beach; three sons, Angelo Woodhouse (Barbara) of Midlothian, Virginia; Russell Bright of Virginia Beach; and Ronnie Bright (Doris) of Jacksonville, North Carolina. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Ryan Woodhouse, Melissa Woodhouse, Tiffany Neufville and Jasmine Bright. She also leaves behind her loving friend, Ernest Washington; her special Aunt, Minnie Morris (Dolly); dear and life-long friends, Maurice Delancey, Claude "Jay" Johnston, III, Donna Freeman, and a host of other family and friends.

A memorial service is being planned for February in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

**A special thanks to East Beach Catering**