Senate Concurrent Resolution 534

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF AUDREY WOODCOCK KERN OF PASS CHRISTIAN, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Audrey Woodcock Kern of Pass Christian, Mississippi, died on January 14, 2004, and

WHEREAS, she was a native and lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Mrs. Kern was born on October 28, 1926, in Pass Christian to Bravo and Clara Woodcock. She attended Pass Christian High School, where she was a member of the 1942 Girls Basketball State Championship Team; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Kern was a "mover and a shaker" in Gulf Coast life. She was an owner/operator of numerous restaurants and nightclubs stretching from Pass Christian to Gulfport. Mrs. Kern was a lifelong member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Jazz Society, where she served as the first female president. She enjoyed "second lining" beyond compare for all her years. She was elected and served as one of the first female Harrison County Election Commissioners and remained active in political life until her death. She was a member of DeLisle Baptist Church, was a charter member of the Pass Christian Chapter of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and was a past member of the La Femmes Ladies Carnival Association of Biloxi. Mrs. Kern was an active member of the St. Paul's Carnival Association since 1964, served as a Grand Duchess in 1967, and was in the court several other years. An avid Mardi Gras participant all her life, Mrs. Kern was involved in fund-raising activities and was an enthusiastic float rider for many years; and

WHEREAS, she is survived by sons, Karl Kern, Jr., (Kim) of DeLisle and Chris Kern of Gulfport; daughters, Paula Prestwood (Morgan) of Laurel, Sammie Kern of Mobile, Alabama, and Robin Cuevas (Wendy) of DeLisle; six grandchildren, Lee Kern, Cabe and Cassie Prestwood, Evangeline Mandolin Mays and John and Jared Cuevas; a special niece, Dorothy Gay Ladner; countless dear and lifelong friends; and a host of other relatives:

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 Mrs. Audrey Woodcock Kern of Pass Christian, Mississippi, and express to her surviving family the sympathy of the Legislature on her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the family of Mrs. Kern and be made available to The Sun Herald and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.