Charlotte – The daughter of Clarence “Bubba” Hutchins Hill and Dorothy Pope Hill, Sally was born on October 12, 1949 on Lilac Road in Charlotte, NC. She passed away quietly in her home on the morning of January 23, 2022 after a long battle with cancer.
Sally was known by many as a supportive agent in the publishing world, having run a successful publishing house located on East Boulevard (which she later sold in the 1980s to Globe Pequot Press). Afterwards, she worked as a literary agent close to the end of her life. Above all, she was a loving and encouraging mother to her two daughters, Dorothy and Sara, and a fun-loving wife of 47 years to Ralph McMillan.
She loved travel, culture, arts, pottery, reading, and was a life-long learner—a trait she passed on to her children. She graduated from Myers Park High School in 1967 where she was a lettergirl and a member of the Ambassadors Club and Young Life. She graduated from High Point University in 1971 where she was a cheerleader, a Phi Mu Sorority sister, and the editor of the Apogee, a literary magazine. Sally earned a Master’s Degree in English and Education from UNC C Charlotte in 1973 and worked at UNC Press. She served on the Board of Directors of UNCC and Charlotte Catholic High School. She frequently volunteered for Dilworth Cares, Easy Readers Book Club, Friendship Trays, and Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region.
She was known for her positivity and encouragement and made a genuine impact on so many people. Sally leaves behind her husband, Ralph McMillan; two daughters, Sara McMillan and Dorothy McMillan; sister, Marcia Smith; son-in-law, Paul Ryan; and grandson, Bennett McMillan Ryan.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 24th, at Sedgefield Methodist Church, 2830 Dorchester Drive, Charlotte. A reception will follow the service at Myers Park Country Club.
She asked that donations be made in honor of Sally McMillan to Clayworks, 4506 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC 28205 or to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 7845 Little Ave., Charlotte, NC 28226.
