Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
ULMER - Robert Hampton McMillan Sr. age 98, claimed eternal life with his Heavenly Father on June 27th, 2026.
Robert, “Bob”, or “Nu-Nu”, as he was affectionately called by his family, was born in Tacoma Park, Maryland on April 12th, 1928. He was the youngest of five sons born to U.S. Representative Thomas S. McMillan and Clara Gooding McMillan. Robert was predeceased by his wife of 73 years, the love of this life, Elizabeth Mae “Betty” Thompson, and a beloved grandson, Chuck Peurifoy.
He is survived by four children, Robbie McMillan (Jami), Mary Beth Peurifoy (Charles), Kathy Norris (Tom), and John Lee McMillan. His descendants include grandchildren Laura McMillan Poe (Ken), Robert Wilson McMillan, Anna McMillan Johnson (Josh), Sarah Peurifoy Norwood (Kevin), Emily Norris (Jeff), Elizabeth Norris Bell (Matt), and Thomas McMillan Norris (Elizabeth).
Robert’s cherished family also includes seven great-grandchildren, Sadie and Carley Norwood, Aubrey, Kinley, Ella, and Owen Flippo, and Alan Johnson.
Robert was always athletic, grew up in Charleston, S.C. and played baseball in Hampton Park near his early childhood home. He had many fun outings on Sullivan’s Island with his four brothers. When his widowed mother, Clara, moved to Washington, D.C., he was a teenager and met his future soulmate, Betty Thompson. He attended the Citadel and completed his degree at George Washington University. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and served in the Air Defense Command. He married energetic Betty two weeks after he graduated from Aviation Cadet School. After he completed his military service in 1955, they moved to the family “farmhouse”, in Ulmer, S.C. to settle down. He was employed by the Savannah River Plant as a Health Physics Inspector until retirement.
Those who knew him well will always remember his gentle smile and wonderful sense of humor. He could make the world laugh with his silly puns and corny jokes. He loved the Lord and faithfully attended Swallow Savannah Methodist Church. He was a choir member and liked to sing in harmony. At home he enjoyed playing hymns on the piano and listening to Bluegrass music. He was happy to teach family or friends how to drive and quail hunt, emphasizing gun safety, or how to cast a line and fly rod fish.
He was competitive by nature, a ping-pong champion in the Air Force, liked playing horseshoes with visitors and shooting skeet. As a young father he played softball and coached Little League. There was no such thing as “letting you win”! His favorite expression was “God isn’t making any more land.” He loved the country life – farming, his garden, and hunting with his bird dogs. He read about nature and wildlife, sharing this knowledge with children and grandchildren. He was joyful and well-loved by all. After retirement he played golf, teaching his granddaughter Laura the game. He watched Braves Baseball and college football, and team rivalry excited him.
On beach vacations, he liked to fish in the surf and throw his shrimp net to catch bait. He amusingly instructed “The Yankees”, on the proper technique, usually drawing a small crowd. He was notoriously frugal but would give you the old shirt off his back, if you asked. He would often say “Life is short, enjoy it now”. Family get-togethers, especially the annual family reunion, delighted him--the social time, family history, and the delicious desserts on the buffet under the oak trees. He was patriotic, loyal to his roots, a true Southerner who didn’t like cold weather.
The Bible says, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. He was tired and ready for his new life in Beulah land with Jesus. We appreciated the warm dedication from Shannon Buckman, “an angel of a caregiver”, who comforted and nurtured him the past few months, along with Jenna Still and Kay Love who filled in. A huge thank you to Cierra Smith RN and Dawn Nix RN on the Amedisys Hospice team. They provided sympathetic, wonderful quality care for him.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 2nd, 2026, at Swallow Savannah Methodist Church. Visitation is at 1:30 p.m. followed by the church service at 2 p.m. Interment will take place afterward at Greater Saltkehatchie Baptist Church Cemetery in Ulmer, S.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to: Swallow Savannah Methodist Church, P.O. Box 306, Allendale, S.C. 29810.
Keith Smith Funeral Service (128 Water Street, Allendale; 803-584-2492) is assisting the family with arrangements. Sign the online guestbook at www.keithsmithfuneralservice.com.
