Gilstrap is set to be parade Grand Marshal

Claude Gilstrap has quietly been one of Lumpkin County’s leaders for many years. Raised in a farm family in the Cane Creek area, the native-born Nugget led his own family into a farming tradition that continues to this day. The family was named Farm Family of the Year by the Upper Chattahoochee Soil and Water Conservation District for its conservation efforts in 2005.
In 1958 Gilstrap led a wagon train all the way to Atlanta in a mule-drawn wagon, carrying Dahlonega gold to Atlanta to be installed on the capitol dome.
“We had a great time,” he said. “We camped out three nights, in Cumming, Alpharetta and in Piedmont Park before going to the capitol. We’d circle the wagons and build a big bonfire. We had one State Patrol car in front and one behind as we traveled down old 9E. It was a dirt road then.”
Gilstrap’s service as a member of the Lumpkin County Board of Education spanned nearly 30 years.
“I was appointed by the Grand Jury—back then the superintendent was elected but the board members were appointed,” he said. “It was a big decision for me.”
Later on he was among those school board members who worked to change the system to an elected board that appointed the superintendent.
“That let us hire a professional from outside the county instead of electing someone without any real experience at the job,” he said.
Former superintendent Dewey Moye is well acquainted with Gilstrap’s leadership.
“I couldn’t list all the things he’s done in the school system and for the county. Being Gold Rush Grand Marshal is a well deserved honor,” he said. “He never missed a meeting. He went to all the conferences, and was well respected across the state. He is a big part of the progress that was made when I was there. When he left, the board it was debt free. He encouraged the development of the  agricultural department and got the ag barn under way. He helped so many people and school children.”

BLESSINGS SHARED
 
One of the many things Gilstrap did while on the board was start the school system’s Special Needs Fund, a way to provide funds to help students and families in need where the school system cannot expend tax dollars—clothing, food, utility bills, fees for class trips and a variety of other needs.
Paula Adams was the social worker at that time, and knew youngsters who needed help. She mentioned some of the situations to Gilstrap.
“He came in privately and said that when he was in school it was hard for him, and he wanted to make it easier for others,” Adams said.
Gilstrap knew what it was like to grow up needing a hand.
“I got to thinking about it and it bothered me. I was one of eight kids and my daddy sharecropped. I’d been one of those kids Paula was talking about. We always ate and was warm, but we didn’t have much,” he said. “So I decided to donate the per diem I got for serving on the board.”
People at his church found out about it and started donating, “and it just kept growing,” he said. “We had six seniors that would not have walked across the stage to get their diploma this year because they couldn’t have afforded the caps and gowns, except for the fund.”
Adams saw Gilstrap’s effort make a difference firsthand.
“Claude was a wonderful supporter of Lumpkin County schools, especially for children and families struggling financially,” Adams said. “He made it possible for us to help with school supplies, clothes, food. He is a good, generous, wonderful man, and he always made you feel so appreciated for your efforts.”
Current school social worker Joni McElwaney agrees.
“Mr.Gilstrap continues to be an advocate and donates personally to the fund, even though he is no longer on the board,” she said. “He is very passionate about seeing that our kids’ needs are met. We are very lucky to have him as part of our community. I couldn’t think of a better person for Gold Rush Grand Marshal.”
“People should help people,” Gilstrap said. “That’s what I’m all about. It’s my calling, I guess. I’m 81 years old and I have been so blessed.”

LEADING ON

Gilstrap and his wife of nearly 50 years, Nancy, opened the first personal care home north of Hall County that was approved to accept Medicaid patients. Prior to that, Nancy worked as an RN in a nursing home  and had “run into a bad situation. She came home just a-bawling,” Gilstrap said.
The couple decided to do something about it, and opened up their personal home to several people before being able to purchase a building and get set up to accept Medicaid patients.
Today there are two homes in Lumpkin and one in Union County, Nancy’s birthplace.
Nancy passed away 11 years ago, but the couple’s daughter, Tina Crow, who is an RN, now supervises the care homes. Jessica Fields, an LPN, also works at the home and is Gilstraps’ granddaughter.
The couple had two sons, Jessica’s father Michael, who died in 2009,  and William, as well as Tina, their only daughter. There are six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Gilstrap has served as a deacon of Bethlehem Baptist Church for 47 years. He is a long time member of the Blue Mountain Masonic Lodge and 25-year member of the Lumpkin County Gideon Camp.
When told he had been chosen as the Gold Rush parade’s Grand Marshal he said, “I felt like they put me at the wrong end of the parade. I’m usually passing out Bibles. But it’s an honor to have been chosen.”
But Fields is excited to see her grandfather where he belongs.
“That’s my papa,” she said. “He’s the foundation of our family and we love him so much. I’m so thankful for the God-fearing man who raised my daddy to be the awesome man he was. … I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
The Gold Rush parade will kick off on the Square at 3 p.m. on Saturday.