MAY MCMILLAN
Pastor May McMillan, of Sumter, was born on Aug. 24, 1933, in Florence County, the eldest daughter born to proud parents, the Rev. William Alexander and Eloise Owens Eaddy Burns.
Over time, May - equipped with a strong entrepreneurial spirit - started her own custom drapery and baking businesses to stimulate her creativity. Her last significant employer was Sumter Laundry and Cleaners, where she worked as a laundry attendant for more than 20 years and subsequently retired in the early 1990's. Post retirement, May's time was devoted to caring for her ailing husband, who preceded her in death in 1997.
May accepted Christ at an early age. She joined Macedonia Baptist Church in Sumter, where she was a faithful member for more than 20 years. After Macedonia Baptist Church lost both pastors, May found a new church home at St. James Progressive Holiness Church of Sumter. May developed her own religious journey and embraced a call to serve as a pastor. Heeding the call, May renovated a building on her property and opened The Potters House Ministry. She eventually met her future husband, Joseph McMillan Jr. To this union, two children were born, Janice and Cletis.
May McMillan departed this life on Nov. 12, 2018, at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Fort Mill.
May leaves her two devoted children, Janice McMillan Friday of Fort Mill and Cletis (Lisa) McMillan of Charlotte, North Carolina; a brother, Bishop LH (Ella Mae) Burns; a brother-in-law, Sam McMillan of Monroe, Louisiana; sister-in-law, Mattie Brothers of Rahway, New Jersey; two grandchildren, Adrienne McMillan Fennel of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Nicholas A. McMillan Friday of Portland, Oregon; three great-grandchildren; three beloved nieces that she helped to raise, Ida (Richard) Solomon of Sumter, Martha Jane Burns of Columbia and their sister, Betty Faye, of Philadelphia; and an adoring nephew, Herbert (Charlene), who brought music, love, laughter and the word of God.
May was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Alex Jr. and Alfred; as well as two sisters, Nancy Canty and Evangelist Cassie M. Wheeler.
Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job's Mortuary.
Pastor McMillan will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. on Monday for viewing until the hour of service.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, with Pastor Ricky Simmons officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Memorial Park.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.
Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.