HR147: Celebrating the life of Douglas Corneil Sumblin.


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 147
Celebrating the life of Douglas Corneil Sumblin.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 7, 2018

 

WHEREAS, Douglas Corneil Sumblin, a trailblazing restaurateur and a man of deep and abiding faith, who brought joy to others through his love of song and his delicious soul food, died on February 9, 2018; and

WHEREAS, a native of Franklin, Douglas Sumblin graduated from Franklin High School, continued his education at Virginia Union University, and earned a travel agent certification from Old Dominion University and a hotel management certification from a training school in Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Sumblin developed his passion for entrepreneurship at a young age while working at local businesses in Franklin, began his career in the hotel industry at a Holiday Inn in Suffolk, and later became a general manager or assistant manager of several hotels in Virginia and Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Sumblin’s true passion was for cooking; he founded Catering by Douglas while in Georgia and worked as a corporate trainer for Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores throughout the country; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, Douglas Sumblin fulfilled his lifelong dream to open a restaurant in his hometown, Mr. D’s Southern Kitchen and Catering; when the restaurant relocated in 2014, he became the first African American business owner on Main Street in historic Downtown Franklin; and

WHEREAS, Mr. D’s Southern Kitchen and Catering was well-known for its lovingly prepared meals and excellent customer service; Douglas Sumblin also strengthened the community by offering meals to the homeless at no charge and by delivering meals to sick or shut-in residents; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Sumblin’s generous actions were guided by his strong faith, and he was an active member and leader of several congregations in Virginia and Georgia throughout his life; after returning home to Franklin, he was especially active in music ministries and outreach to members of the community in need; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Sumblin will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members and friends and the entire Franklin community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Douglas Corneil Sumblin; 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 Douglas Corneil Sumblin as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 147

Offered March 5, 2018
Celebrating the life of Douglas Corneil Sumblin.
Patron-- Brewer

WHEREAS, Douglas Corneil Sumblin, a trailblazing restaurateur and a man of deep and abiding faith, who brought joy to others through his love of song and his delicious soul food, died on February 9, 2018; and

WHEREAS, a native of Franklin, Douglas Sumblin graduated from Franklin High School, continued his education at Virginia Union University, and earned a travel agent certification from Old Dominion University and a hotel management certification from a training school in Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Sumblin developed his passion for entrepreneurship at a young age while working at local businesses in Franklin, began his career in the hotel industry at a Holiday Inn in Suffolk, and later became a general manager or assistant manager of several hotels in Virginia and Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Sumblin’s true passion was for cooking; he founded Catering by Douglas while in Georgia and worked as a corporate trainer for Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores throughout the country; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, Douglas Sumblin fulfilled his lifelong dream to open a restaurant in his home town, Mr. D’s Southern Kitchen and Catering; when the restaurant relocated in 2014, he became the first African American business owner on Main Street in historic Downtown Franklin; and

WHEREAS, Mr. D’s Southern Kitchen and Catering was well-known for its lovingly prepared meals and excellent customer service; Douglas Sumblin also strengthened the community by offering meals to the homeless at no charge and by delivering meals to sick or shut-in residents; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Sumblin’s generous actions were guided by his strong faith, and he was an active member and leader of several congregations in Virginia and Georgia throughout his life; after returning home to Franklin, he was especially active in music ministries and outreach to members of the community in need; and

WHEREAS, Douglas Sumblin will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members and friends and the entire Franklin community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Douglas Corneil Sumblin; 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 Douglas Corneil Sumblin as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.