The Lee MacLellan Family Story
The Clark Great Grandchildren
Roselle and I have two children: Jamie and Laura. They were born in 1980 and 1982 respectively, so they've always been close.
Laura and Jamie at Laura's graduation from Swarthmore in 2004.
Jamie Clark - GREAT GRANDSON
James Edward Clark (1980 - ) was named after his paternal grandfather Edward Clark, and he has lived up to his grandfather's ideals and values.
I was reminded of how boys differ from girls when Jamie received his first toy vehicle. When he rolled it across a table he just naturally made the sound of an engine, a small growly put-put-put.
Later Jamie discovered video games, a passion that continues to this day.
Jamie attended the local high school, Clover Hill, and then went to Guilford College, a small liberal arts and Quaker based school in Guilford NC.
Jamie was named Teacher of the Year at Elko Middle School in 2018.
Jamie holding a mackerel he caught one summer in Blue Hill Maine. Mackerel are considered bait fish in that region, but that didn't matter to Jamie.
He loved to fish and to catch or watch anything amphibian. In fact, he had such a collection of amphibians that the teacher in one of his summer school classes made a field trip to bring the class to our house to see his collection.
After graduating from Guilford in 2002, Jamie followed in his maternal uncles' foot steps, and became a special education teacher. He was touched by his mother's sister Marie Eleana, who is autistic. Jamie would be a special education teacher in the Henrico County public schools for many years before he switched to teaching history, another of his passions.
Jamie and his sister are extremely dedicated teachers, and their kids love them for it. For example, Jamie believes he should wear a tie in school, which not all the teachers wear. But the kids had so much respect for their teacher that they wanted to wear ties. I had to cull through my tie collection to keep Jamie supplied.
Today Jamie loves hiking, running, and playing and coaching soccer. He lives in his own house in Sandston, VA, not far from where he teaches.
Jamie with his first cat Shadow.
Jamie, #93, about to kick a cross kick. He plays in adult soccer leagues year round.
Laura Clark - GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER
Laura, Jamie, and their mother Roselle at a Father's Day dinner
Laura Anita Clark (1982 - ) was named after her maternal grandmother Anita Digiacomo. It's hard to overestimate the impact her grandmother has had on Laura and Jamie. Like her grandmother and mother, Laura is kind, compassionate, and very intelligent. Other characteristics that can be traced to Anita are an ear for languages, and time spent overseas.
Laura is extremely intelligent. She was accepted into the highly selective Virginia Governor's School of International Relations here in Richmond. Later she was accepted at Swarthmore College, consistently ranked among the top three small, private liberal arts college in the nation. She followed in the footsteps of her grandparents Ed and Janet Clark, and her great aunt Sally Councill.
Laura, left, at her brother's graduation from Guilford. Their cousin Sarah Mugford is on the right.
Laura was recognized as one of the top 12 teachers in the Central Virginia region. In the picture above she is holding her "REB" award, which came with a grant of $12,000 to spend several weeks in Costa Rica studying the native culture and its impact on the environment. (Her mother happily tagged along, paying her own way).
Laura followed the family tradition and became a teacher. She started by teaching English in a school in Mexico, living alone for two years. She didn't speak Spanish when she arrived, but she was proficient within months. (She said it was much like Italian, which she had studied in the Governor's School.)
Laura is also a passionate, committed teacher. She has taught at Betty Weaver Elementary School in Chesterfield County for years, teaching first grade, third grade, and now fifth grade. She is beloved by her students, to whom she brings a compassionate, friendly, and creative touch.
Currently Laura lives in a renovated and cozy home in the city of Richmond with her cat Lelly (based on the name Maclellan), and her dog D. G. (based on the name DiGiacomo).
Laura's middle school picture.
Laura spent a semester in Italy. Here she is in Venice.
Laura is excited about her new puppy, here dressed in a blue checked jacket and a red bow tie.
Laura, shown here with her first graders like to dress up for the holidays.