J&S Karaoke in Hanceville opened its doors on April 2, 2010, inspired by the desire for a family-oriented gathering ground.

“A lot of our friends said: ‘open a karaoke club without smoking and alcohol,’” owner Suzette Kendall said. “They wanted a nice place for family and kids.”

Suzette Kendall, and her husband Jay Kendall, made that wish come to fruition and even prospered at their location on U.S. Highway 31; however, seven months ago, tragedy struck the now-widowed Suzette Kendall, and J&S Karaoke is permanently closing its doors after one final New Year’s Eve party.

Jay Kendall lost his life on May 21, 2014, in a collision while riding his 2005 Yamaha motorcycle. A teen driver, was the driver of the GMC that collided with him. An Alabama State Trooper report said an electronic device was a factor in the collision.

Since then, Suzette Kendall has dedicated an immense portion of her time advocating stricter legislation against distracted driving. She has dubbed her proposal “Jay’s Law.”

“J&S was a success story,” Suzette Kendall said. “I don’t want anyone to think that it’s closing because it failed. I’m going to throw myself into Jay’s Law — that’s what is going to drive me now. I want to be the one to make a difference.”

Suzette Kendall’s resolution for the new year is to grow her budding movement into real legislation. She is demanding from legislators and law enforcement “tougher penalties for distracted drivers,” but not out of a sense of vengeance.

“I don’t want someone in the same shoes as me because they can get away with it,” she said. “I want people to put their phones down, spread awareness and call representatives to make sure they know about the law.”

Family friend and J&S patron Rebecca Koehler said Jay Kendall’s death was not a burden for Suzette Kendall to bear alone.

“That one act of thoughtlessness — that one moment without consideration — took that away from her,” she said. “It’s not only affecting their family. Everyone that comes to J&S is family.”

Koehler said that the appeal of J&S is what cultivated such a strong, familial atmosphere.

“It doesn’t matter what race or creed you are,” she added. “The second you step in you are loved. That’s the legacy Jay Kendall has.”

The final party will begin at 6 p.m. tonight. It is for those who are ages 21 and up. There is a $10 cover charge, and proceeds will help benefit Suzette Kendall’s work on Jay’s Law.

The Alabama Highway Patrol handled the case. The Cullman County District Attorney’s Office — which was awaiting the highway patrol to complete its investigation of the incident — has not filed charges against the 17-year-old teen.

Zach Winslett may be contacted at zwinslett@cullmantimes.com or (256) 734-2131, ext. 137.