MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gollott, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Norwood, Simmons (12th), Butler (38th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL BUSINESS ANNIVERSARY OF O'KEEFE FUNERAL HOMES IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, AND DESIGNATING APRIL 9, 2015, AS "O'KEEFE FUNERAL HOMES DAY IN MISSISSIPPI."
WHEREAS, near the end of the American Civil War in the Spring of 1865, Irish Immigrant Edward "Ned" O'Keefe's Livery Service on Porter Street in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was first asked to provide a funeral carriage for local residents; and
WHEREAS, Ned O'Keefe recognized the potential of expanding his livery business to include funeral services, and subsequently added mortuary services and funeral planning, thereby establishing the first-known funeral services to Ocean Springs; and
WHEREAS, Ned O'Keefe's funeral business expanded to Biloxi and other coast cities as its ownership and management was passed down to succeeding generations of O'Keefe family members; and
WHEREAS, O'Keefe Funeral Homes today comprise six locations in Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport and Vancleave on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and
WHEREAS, O'Keefe Funeral Homes have long served the needs of the diverse population of the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and
WHEREAS, O'Keefe Funeral Homes have expanded to include the State of Mississippi's largest funeral insurance business; and
WHEREAS, the venerated O'Keefe Funeral Homes remain one of the leading funeral businesses in the State of Mississippi and in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the O'Keefe family has distinguished itself outside the family business in community involvement, political leadership and philanthropy; and
WHEREAS, O'Keefe family members have served their community and their country with valor and integrity, as proudly evidenced by WWII Fighter Pilot "Ace," State Legislator and Biloxi Mayor Jeremiah "Jerry" O'Keefe; and
WHEREAS, the O'Keefe family has always championed coast communities and cities, especially children, the disabled and the underprivileged; and
WHEREAS, the O'Keefe family has served as a catalyst for and generously supported other business development across the Mississippi Coast; and
WHEREAS, the O'Keefe family established a trust that has long encouraged and financially assisted local arts, including the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum in Biloxi and the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs; and
WHEREAS, six generations of O'Keefes have continued the legacy of quality service to citizens and community as first provided by Ned O'Keefe a century and a half ago; and
WHEREAS, the Spring of 2015 marks the 150th Anniversary of O'Keefe Funeral Homes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, making the family business one of the oldest recurring businesses not only in Mississippi, but in the United States, too; and
WHEREAS, the Sesquicentennial of O'Keefe Funeral Homes and the corresponding community involvement and leadership of the O'Keefe family for the same 150 years is an occasion worthy of acclaim and public recognition:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby congratulate O'Keefe Funeral Homes and the O'Keefe family on the laudable occasion of their 150th Business Anniversary and proclaim April 9, 2015, as "O'Keefe Funeral Homes Day in Mississippi" in recognition of 150 years of distinguished service to the State of Mississippi and its people.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the O'Keefe family, forwarded to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.