Friends, family and members of the Selma Country Club are mourning the death of Nelson Pettaway.

Pettaway, 59, of Selma, died Tuesday at UAB Hospital.

For more than 30 years, Selma Country Club golf pro Tommy Burns said Pettaway served as a maitre d’ where he was well known and well-respected.

“He was an institution over here,” he said. “When others would come in a dress pants and a nice shirt he wore a tuxedo.”

For many members, Burns said Pettaway was almost like a member of the family.

“He was very good with the kids and would look after them,” he said. “He was very special to them. A lot of times people would go out of town and he would offer to housesit and feed their dogs.”

Burns, who said he has been at the club for 37 years, said Pettaway came on board shortly after he did.

Pettaway was laid to rest Saturday at New Live Oak Cemetery following a noon service at Second Baptist Church. Rev. Joe Knight officiated the ceremony, with Miller Funeral Service of Selma directing.

Pettaway’s survivors include his mother, Esther Pettaway; brother, Chris (Tonya) Watkins; sisters, Diane P. Walter and Patricia Pettaway Rowe; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.