WHEREAS, Woodrow Pettus, a true Virginia gentleman who served generations of guests at the historic Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, died on May 16, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Woodrow "Woody" Pettus began working at the Omni Homestead Resort as a caddy when he was a teenager, then worked with his father in the resort's stables; and

WHEREAS, Woody Pettus subsequently moved to the dining room as a busboy; witnessing numerous changes in the hotel and fine dining industries during his career, he served as waiter, wine steward, captain, assistant headwaiter, and headwaiter, a position he renamed to maitre d'hotel; and

WHEREAS, during his more than 25-year tenure as maitre d'hotel at the resort, Woody Pettus personally welcomed United States presidents, famous actors, and other celebrities and important clientele to the resort's main dining room; and

WHEREAS, Woody Pettus received numerous awards and accolades for his distinguished service to the Omni Homestead Resort and exemplary care for its guests, including the 2003 Maitre d'Hotel of the Year award from GolfStyles magazine and the Ambassador of the Year award from Historic Hotels of America; and

WHEREAS, the Omni Homestead Resort will host the Woody Pettus Weekend in June 2018 to commemorate Woody Pettus' six decades of service to the resort; and

WHEREAS, Woody Pettus will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Ruby; his children, Houston and Lisa, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Woodrow Pettus, a fixture of the Omni Homestead Resort for nearly 60 years, who helped countless individuals and families make lasting memories through his incomparable professionalism and hospitality; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Woodrow Pettus as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.