Bill Text: VA SR112 | 2021 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr. Willie Woodson.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-02-04 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR112ER) [SR112 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-SR112-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Willie Woodson, a spiritual leader and community activist who touched countless lives throughout the Richmond region, died on December 4, 2020; and
WHEREAS, a native of Richmond, Willie Woodson graduated from Armstrong High School and served his country as a member of the United States Air Force; he returned to Richmond in 1971 to care for his siblings after their mother's death and worked at the nearby Defense General Supply Center; and
WHEREAS, Willie Woodson continued his education with a bachelor's degree and a master of divinity degree from Virginia Union University, as well as a master's degree from what is now Union Presbyterian Seminary and a doctorate from Union Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS, Willie Woodson answered the call to ministry at First United Presbyterian Church and led the congregation for 27 years, increasing community engagement, establishing a summer camp, and building additional support for church youth groups; and
WHEREAS, Willie Woodson subsequently became the pastor of Trinity Ghanaian Presbyterian Church; he was an active leader in the Presbytery of the James, including as moderator of the organization's Black Caucus; and
WHEREAS, Willie Woodson was a prolific author and a passionate educator who served as an adjunct instructor for a University of Lynchburg satellite program in Petersburg; he also volunteered to mentor students at Henderson Middle School and offered his expertise to the Richmond Public Schools strategic planning group; and
WHEREAS, for more than a decade, Willie Woodson celebrated the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the civil rights movement as the executive director of the annual Living the Dream program; and
WHEREAS, Willie Woodson further strengthened the Richmond community as executive director of the nonprofit organization Citizens Against Crime and as a member of the Richmond Commission of Architectural Review, Boaz & Ruth, the Richmond Crusade for Voters, and the local NAACP; and
WHEREAS, Willie Woodson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his daughter, Beverly, and her family; his sisters, Jane and Felicia, and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Dr. Willie Woodson, a faith and community leader in Richmond; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Dr. Willie Woodson as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.
