Bill Text: VA HR58 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Reverend Walter Allen Whitehurst.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-02-10 - Bill text as passed House (HR58ER) [HR58 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2020-HR58-Enrolled.html

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 58
Celebrating the life of the Reverend Walter Allen Whitehurst.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 10, 2020
 

WHEREAS, the Reverend Walter Allen Whitehurst, longtime pastor of congregations of the United Methodist Church in the Commonwealth and a beloved member of the Pungo community, died on January 4, 2020; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Oceana High School in Princess Anne County, Walter "Walt" Allen Whitehurst received a bachelor's degree from Randolph-Macon College before ultimately graduating from Duke Divinity School in 1961; and

WHEREAS, while serving as pastor of Lynnhaven United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, Walt Whitehurst founded the Princess Anne Plaza United Methodist Church before assuming the position of associate pastor at Annandale United Methodist Church in the mid-1960s; and

WHEREAS, during his studies at Duke Divinity School, Walt Whitehurst took a leave of absence for missionary work in Chile, returning there with his family from 1966 - 1971; over his lifetime, he would return to the country over 15 times, variously serving as a pastor, program director, translator, and general laborer; and

WHEREAS, from the early 1970s to the mid-1990s, Walt Whitehurst served several United Methodist Church congregations in the Commonwealth, including churches in Rustburg, Bedford, Hopewell, Richmond, and Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, with many years of missionary experience, Walt Whitehurst became director of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, fostering the service experience of countless individuals; and

WHEREAS, retiring in 1999, Walt Whitehurst remained active in the church as an associate pastor of Charity United Methodist Church from 2001 - 2006 and as a consultant with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries; and

WHEREAS, after coauthoring a book with his wife, Betty, about the mission trips they had supported, titled Following God's Call: Individual Volunteers in Mission, Walt Whitehurst wrote five other books about his community, known as the Pungo Tales series, which he proudly sold at the Pungo Strawberry Festival and local venues; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the Virginia Beach Historic Review Board, Walt Whitehurst was a staunch advocate for preserving the heritage and way of life in Pungo, working tirelessly to ensure that his hometown grew and prospered in a way that accorded with its beloved rural character; and

WHEREAS, having led and been part of many congregations over his lifetime, Walt Whitehurst most recently was a member of the Charity United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, where he enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community for many years; and

WHEREAS, Walt Whitehurst will be dearly remembered and missed by his wife of 58 years, Betty; his children, David, Bruce, and Monica, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Walter Allen Whitehurst, who served the Commonwealth and his Pungo community admirably as a pastor, author, and friend; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Walter Allen Whitehurst as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.

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