Pamela Wragg Chase Hain

Pamela Wragg Chase Hain was born September 14, 1936 at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC to Lt. Colonel Richard Chase and Judith Dubose Wragg Chase. She passed away at age 89 on October 24th at Runk & Pratt Assisted Living Community, Hardy. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers, Dr. (PhD) Richard Conant Chase (Eva Marie) of Tewsbury, MA and Dr. (PhD) Alston Sparks Chase (Diana) of Livingston, MT. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Peter Murray Hain of Hardy, and children Michael Chase Hain (Amy) of Lovettsville, VA and Christel Elizabeth Hain of Hardy. Grandchildren: Mikayla Lee Hain, Alexander Chase Hain, Alyssa Louise Hain, and Mason Murray Hain, all of Lovettsville, VA. Nieces and nephews: Rev. Stephanie Chase Wilson Bradbury of Lowell, MA, Frederick Conant Chase of Frederick, Maryland, Dr. (PhD) Tanya Chase of San Francisco, and Sabryna Chase of Virginia.

Pam was an "army brat" who lived overseas where she attended elementary schools when her father was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark. She also attended schools in Carmel, CA, San Francisco, and Charlottesville, VA.

Pam Hain graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in International Relations and an MA in Slavic Languages and Literature at Columbia University's Russian Institute. The ability to speak fluent Russian was a requirement for acceptance in the Institute. Afterwards, she was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency and was one of only five women in her class of over 60 junior officers. She served for several years as an intelligence analyst on Soviet-related projects at CIA headquarters where she met her future husband. When he was assigned to Germany, Pam worked as an analyst on Soviet intelligence activities until she resigned after the birth of their son.

While her husband was assigned to Denmark, Pam was elected President of the American Women's Club of Denmark and inspired several new projects and activities that energized the 100-plus "old guard" Danish and American membership. She also served as their representative to the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO). And, although no longer employed by the CIA, she ably supported her husband's intelligence operations.

When her husband was transferred to Austria, Pam Hain served as a contract employee for the CIA Station's photographic projects and was sometimes called in as photographer for American Embassy events.

After their return to the U.S., Pam worked as a licensed real estate agent and librarian for the town of Vienna, VA. In more recent years, she focused her efforts on being a historian and author.

In 2005, Missouri University Press published Pam's biography of her great-grandfather Thomas Loundes Wragg (1843-1889) titled "A Confederate Chronicle The Life of a Civil War Survivor." The book detailed the remarkable life of a young man who became a medical doctor after serving in both the Confederate Army and Navy as well as incarceration as a prisoner of war. The book was favorably reviewed by Dr. James I. "Bud" Robertson, noted Civil War author and Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Virginia Tech.

In 2013, Mercer University Press published Pam's work "The Biography of Robert Augustus Alston." The book follows the life Lt. Col. Robert A. Alston (1832-1879), newspaper editor and former chief of staff for Confederate General John Hunt Morgan. Alston was a 19th century slave owner and white supremacist who transitioned into a crusader for reform in the treatment of black convicts in post-war Georgia. Pam's mother was co-owner of the Old Slave Mart and Museum in Charleston, SC., for many years and was a staunch supporter of Dr. Martin Luther King's works.

Locally, Pam Hain was a member of the Franklin County chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and served as chairperson of the scholarship committee for several years. She was also a member of the South Carolina Historical Society, the Georgia Historical Society, the Morgan's Men Association, and the Roanoke Civil War Roundtable. She was active as secretary for her homeowners' association. For several years she sang and played guitar as a member of the "Ladies of the Lake," a musical trio that performed at various locations in southwest Virginia.

In 2019, the Marquis Who's Who Publications Board presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership, credentials, and successes. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). A member of the Episcopal Church, she had numerous clergy in her ancestry dating back to the mid-18th century in Monmouthshire, Wales.

Pam's children worshiped her as a caring, loving mother who was always willing to lend an ear and give helpful advice. She will be sorely missed. Love you and thank you, Mom.

There will be no local services. Interment will be at a family church yard in Pennsylvania at a later date.

Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount/Smith Mountain Lake.