C. Roy McMillan

1943 - 2016

C. Roy McMillan

Jackson, MS

Charles Roy McMillan, age 72, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 21, 2016, in hospice care at the Gray-Lewis home in Jackson, MS, surrounded by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Della McMillan of Kosciusko, MS and his half brother, Jerry Smith of Denver, CO. He is survived by his biologic mother, Eleanor Smith, wife, Beverly McMillan, his daughter, Amanda McMillan, adopted son, Andrew McMillan, stepsons, Arnold Smith (Kathleen), Tony Smith (Jessica), Emory Smith (Marci), and 9 grandchildren, Troy, Elaine, Caroline, Nicholas, Jacob, Grayson, Brandt, Kateri and Sylvia. He also leaves behind a sister, Joy McMillan of Huntsville, AL, a brother, Stokes McMillan (Teresa) of Houston, TX, a half sister, Nancy Florance (Rodney) of Tacoma, WA, a half brother, Myron Smith (Donde) of Tuscon, AZ, four nieces and nine nephews.

Roy was born in Alexandria, Louisiana on February 25, 1943. Shortly afterward, he moved to Kosciusko, MS, where he spent his childhood, graduating from Kosciusko High School in 1961. He was greatly influenced by his grandfather, Lucien Sanders, former mayor of Kosciusko, state senator and editor of the Star Herald newspaper. Therefore, it seemed a natural calling for him to major in journalism at the University of Mississippi, where he graduated in 1966. He spent four years in the MS Army National Guard, moved to New York City to work at The Daily News for a year before returning to Jackson to work with his uncle, Khaki McMillan, on the Southwest Guide newspaper. In 1975 he joined Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company as their public relations and advertising executive.

In 1986 Roy left Southern Farm Bureau to pursue his true calling, full time pro-life advocacy. He spent hundreds of hours sidewalk counseling in front of Jackson's abortion clinics, spearheading peaceful Operation Rescue sit-ins from 1989 through 1994, enduring criticism, ridicule and arrest for his efforts. He opened his home and his heart to numerous mothers needing concrete help to bring their unborn children to birth, and inspired many timid folks to live out their pro-life beliefs, also.

Visitation will begin at noon on Thursday, January 28, at St. Richard Catholic Church in Jackson, followed by a funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any charitable donations be directed to Pro-Life Mississippi, the St. Vincent dePaul Society of St. Richard Church or to the Salvation Army.