The Hugh & Charlotte Maclellan Charitable Trust was established as a supporting organization in April 1993 by Hugh O. Maclellan, Sr. In a letter of intent to the trustees, he explained his reasoning: “I would like the present trustees, the future trustees, and Maclellan family members that follow to have the joy of Christian stewardship.  In addition to helping in the building of Provident, I have also had the opportunity to be a part of building something with eternal dynamics – Christ’s Kingdom.”

Born to Cora Llewellyn and Robert J. Maclellan of Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1912, Hugh Owen Maclellan, Sr. grew up in the Maclellan’s Bluff View home along the Tennessee River and attended McCallie School for boys, helping out at the family business – Provident Life & Accident Insurance – as soon as he was old enough to do so.

Before joining Provident fulltime in 1935, Hugh attended Cornell University, and two years later married Charlotte Fowler of Signal Mountain.  Hugh and Charlotte had two children, Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr. and Charlotte Maclellan Heffner.  Hugh’s early career at Provident was interrupted by a four-year stint as a personnel officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II; he retired from active duty in 1946 with the rank of major. 

Although most of Hugh’s life was dedicated to his work at Provident (having been named vice president in 1948, president from 1972-1977, and chairman of the finance committee thereafter), his later years were primarily dedicated to the philanthropic work of the Maclellan Foundation, where he served as president for nearly 20 years. 

When he died on January 8, 1994, Hugh left the bulk of his estate to the Hugh and Charlotte Maclellan Charitable Trust.  His wife Charlotte followed him in death on August 3, 2004.