BILLIE LOU KERN

Mrs. Billie Lou Kern, 74, of 300 North 27th, died at 9:55 a.m. Thursday (February 24, 2005) in Blessing Hospital.

Born April 30, 1930 in Newport, Arkansas, Billie was the daughter of Ralph Byrd and Lucile Ewing Hodges. She married Robert Kern on March 11, 1950 in Pocahontas, Arkansas. He survives.

Billie was devoted to her family and took an active interest in her grandchildren's lives. She enjoyed sewing, crafts and gardening and was a passionate reader. When she was unable to read because of her sight, she loved listening to the talking books she received from the Midwest talking book program. Billie also loved collecting, restoring and selling antiques, owning the Lazy K Antique Shop in Lewistown, Missouri. She later developed an interest in antique lace, jewelry and quilts and enjoyed attending quilt shows throughout the country.

Billie came to Quincy in 1948 and began work as an operator with Bell Telephone. She later was a seamstress and manager for the House of Fabrics, theVillage Shop and the White House Uniform Shop. Mrs. Kern retired in 1987 from the Monroe Sweda Cash Register Company.

Survivors include her husband, Robert; two daughters, Bobbi Lou Porter and her husband Tom of Quincy and Sandra Sue Beckert and her husband Ed of Lee's Summit, MO.; a son, Theodore Edwin "Ted" Kern Sr. and his wife Karen of Colchester, IL.; two grandchildren, Robbie Beckert of Lee's Summit, MO. and Ted Kern Jr. of Colchester; a half sister; two half brothers including Roy Byrd and his wife Shirley of Newport, AR.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Kern was preceded in death by her parents.

Cremation rites were accorded. Graveside memorial services will be held Monday morning at 10:00 in the Quincy Memorial Park Mausoleum by the very Rev'd Canon H. W. Sandy Hermann, SSC.

There will be no visitation, but friends are invited to the service. The Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Midwest Talking Book Program.