The McClung Family

Fedie and Alan McClung with their children (L-R): Jill, Amy, Chad

West Virginia to Virginia via Germany
Alan and Ophelia (Fedie) McClung grew up in West Virginia. Alan was a member of the Special Forces of the U.S. Army. After their marriage, the couple moved to Bavaria, Germany. When they returned, they moved to Charlottesville. Alan earned a Master’s Degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. 

In 1973, Alan and Fedie moved to Orange. They joined the Orange Presbyterian Church with their three children; Chad, Jill, and Amy. At that time, Alan was the Coordinator of Special Education for Culpeper County.

Service in the church
Alan joined our choir. He was reared as a Presbyterian and had sung in various church choirs.  He was selected to the Board of Deacons in 1974 and became Chairman of the Deacons in 1976. In 1985, Alan joined the Session.

In 1974, their son, Chad, was vice-president of the Young People’s Fellowship (YPF) Senior Highs. Jill was secretary and Amy was secretary of the Junior Highs. 

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Alan McClung (center) at the 1974 CROP Hunger Walk.

The CROPS Hunger Walks
Alan participated in the Hunger Walk in Orange on October 24, 1974. It was a project of the Community Hunger Appeal of Church World Service (CROP). 

Alan was the Adult Arrangements Chairman for the project. Jill was the Youth General Chairman, and called the walk a “great success." More than 90 people completed the 20-mile walking route thru rural Orange County.

There was another “Hunger Walk” in 1975. Jill, as the Youth Chairman, said the event was an even greater success than the previous year’s. Alan led the group with Fred Floyd, Adult Chairman, and Rev. William Peters of OPC. The event raised about $4000.

Jill’s mother Fedie, her sister Amy, and her brother Chad, also participated in the Hunger Walks.

The walks were directed by the YPF of OPC, along with St. Thomas Episcopal Church and other denominations in the county. ​

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Fedie McClung volunteering in the Cradle Nursery.

Fedie's service
Fedie McClung is a nurse. She assisted in operating rooms, working at Martha Jefferson Hospital for years. She also taught certified nursing assistants and medical office assistants at Piedmont Tech in Culpeper County. Fedie did this day and night for 16 years. 

She led the Senior High class at OPC with Anne Somerville in 1981. They explored the area of goals, choices, problems, and expectations. She led the Senior High class with Sharon Callahan in 1982. 

She volunteered in the nursery with Thelma Sanford. It was quoted that, “the credit for a strong and growing nursery must go primarily to them.” Later, Fedie volunteered in the cradle nursery. 

Fedie was elected to be an Elder in 1994. She sang in the choir, alongside Amy, for many years. They both volunteered many times at the Red Cross Blood Drive held at OPC’s Fellowship Hall. They were both active members of the Women of the Church. Amy also served as an Elder.

Mission work
In 2003, Fedie McClung took a mission trip to Mexico on the Baja Peninsula. Her trip was to work with Operation Blessing, providing medical care to many who could net afford it. She assisted, working alongside surgeons providing cataract surgeries. 

Fedie also traveled to Africa and Malawi for mission work at orphanages. She did all this wonderful work was after she had retired. 

The McLung Legacy
Alan McClung sadly passed away in 2000. Chad and Jill moved away. Amy lives in Orange. Amy and Fedie continued to dedicate their time and support to OPC in many roles. It is wonderful how many ways this family contributed to Orange Presbyterian Church.

 - Jennie Hill Robinson
​OPC History Team

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