Sokonthea Kong Ernest, 56, of Richardson, passed away Monday, Aug. 16. Funeral services were held Saturday, August 21 at Morehart Mortuary Chapel. Interment will follow in the Breckenridge Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation was held Friday, August 20 at Morehart Mortuary.

Sokonthea Kong was born November 6, 1964 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Han Kong and Kim Seng Kong. At age 10, her family was able to escape Cambodia just prior to the country falling to the Khmer Rouge communist regime in 1975. After a few refugee camps, they settled in Grants Pass, Ore., then moved to Breckenridge in 1976. On July 12, 1986, Sokie married Michael G. Ernest in Breckenridge. She was a homemaker and loved spending time with her family. Sokie loved her family greatly, and had room in her heart for so many. She brought light and happiness to everyone who knew her. She is dearly missed. She was preceded in death by her father, Han Kong.

Sokie is survived by her soul mate and husband of 35 years, Michael G. Ernest, of Richardson; her mother, Kim Seng Kong, of Richardson; two daughters and their husbands, Kristen Ernest Shollar and Brian, of Ft. Worth, and Kimberlee Ernest Carroll and James, also of Ft. Worth; one sister, Hanarine Kong, of Richardson; three brothers, Mick Kong & Cynthia Nguyen, of Richardson, Roth Kong & wife Sok, of Tool, Hanna Kong & wife Rathna, of Herndon, Va. While waiting for grandchildren, Sokie loved all her nieces and nephews: LeeAnne Kong, Zachary Kong, Gary Crutchley, Gabriel Crutchley, Dakota Sokie Kong, Elyse Tieu, Drake Kong, Anderson Tieu, Ritthy Son, and Ryan Son.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, or the National Kidney Foundation. Condolences may be made online at www.morehartmortuary.net.