Senate Concurrent Resolution 591

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF HONORABLE ALICE HOWRY DECELL WISE, LONGTIME ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Alice Howry DeCell Wise of Madison, Mississippi, beloved mother, wife, spiritual leader and an Assistant Attorney General for 16 years, died on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Alice was born May 9, 1952, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, the daughter of Harriet Causey DeCell and the late Senator Herman Brister DeCell; and

WHEREAS, Alice graduated from Yazoo City High School, where she was Drum Major of the Band, then completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts. Alice undertook graduate school studies at the University of Mississippi, where she earned a Master of Arts Degree in English and was also awarded her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Mississippi Law School and was admitted to the Bar to practice law in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, with steadfast cheerfulness, Alice was someone who sacrificed everything for her family, without expecting any form of compensation; she struggled through law school as a single mother so that her children would receive the best education possible; and

WHEREAS, Alice placed high value on faith, family and work. She taught the gifted classes in Tylertown, Mississippi, and Kosciusko, Mississippi. Alice practiced law as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, and was a member of the Mississippi Bar Association. Alice was a gifted researcher and writer, providing expert legal advice to the Attorney General and to city attorneys throughout the state. She was on the Law Review at the University of Mississippi Law School, and Editor of the school newspaper in Yazoo City that won the 1970 Commercial Appeal Award for Best High School Newspaper; and

WHEREAS, Alice married Robert Powell Wise of Jackson, Mississippi, on December 30, 1988. Three children blessed Alice's life: Laura Mary Young, Charles DeCell Young and Andrew Sherwood Wise. Family members include her mother, Harriet Causey DeCell Kuykendall; brother, Herman Brister DeCell, Jr.; sister, Harriet Causey DeCell Coffield; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom were cherished by Alice and loved her deeply; and

WHEREAS, Alice's family was the center of her life, second only to her faith. She treated religion as an extension of life, and her life was a form of worship. She devoted her life to following the will of God and it was obvious in everything she did; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this public servant whose life was an inspiration to family, friends and to citizens of the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of public service of Honorable Alice Howry DeCell Wise, longtime Assistant Attorney General for the State of Mississippi and daughter of the late Senator Herman DeCell, and express to her surviving family and friends the sympathy of the Legislature on her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Alice Wise and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.