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ELSPETH AND JAMES Mcclure clarke endowment fund
Always constant
companions in life with one rarely seen without the other, Congressman
Jamie Clarke and his wife, Elspie, of 54 years are as large as the mountains
that they loved. Western North Carolina lost and heaven gained the
presence of this lovely couple; as well as the memories of thousands who
were guests to their historic Hickory Nut Gap farm. Michael Leonard,
a frequent visitor, remarked "I could never figure out where the food
came from; a knock on the door at dinner time automatically added an extra
plate to the table -- and there was always food for one more…and one more…
and one more." 
The Clarkes were
indeed champions of the working people, farmers, and the environment.
Both were devoted to the mountains and the Parkway and their preservation
for future generations. A legacy in their own right, they produced
a family of eight children, twenty-one grandchildren, and five great grandchildren;
not to mention the extended family of five decades of farm and house guests.
Lou Bissette, former
mayor of Asheville and member of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, had
this to say, "Jamie and Elspie Clarke epitomized the independent but caring
spirit of the people of our mountain region. Their accomplishments
were many and their friends were legion. They worked tirelessly
to improve the lives of their neighbors throughout Western North Carolina.
The Jamie and Elspeth Clarke/Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Endowment Fund
is a very fitting way to honor two very special mountain people." 
The James and Elspeth
Clarke/Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Endowment fund was established by
private gifts, proceeds from the Coalition of the Blue Ridge Parkway,
and a special gift from the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. This
special endowment fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation of
Western North Carolina, is part of the general endowment for the Blue
Ridge Parkway Foundation -- The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Trust.
Additional gifts to this fund may be made by sending contributions to
the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, P.O. Box 1888, Asheville,
NC 28802 -- marked specifically for the Clarke/Parkway Foundation Fund.
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