Sallie Armfield McMillion

Mrs. Sallie Armfield McMillion, 88, of Greensboro, NC, died peacefully at her home on June 19, 2025. Sallie was born on April 16, 1937, in Asheboro, NC, the daughter of William Johnston Armfield, III, and Elizabeth Allen Armfield. She graduated from Salem Academy in 1955. Sallie attended Sweet Briar College before graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1959 with a degree in History. At Carolina, Sallie was a member of the Chi-Omega sorority. After college, she remained in Chapel Hill before moving to Manhattan, where she remained for twelve years and had her two children. In 1973, she returned to North Carolina, making it her permanent home.

Sallie’s lifelong love affair with her UNC Tar Heels inspired her to join the UNC Development Office, where she served as a Major Gifts Officer for 12 years and was instrumental in raising funds to support Carolina academics. She later served on the board of the Institute for the Arts and Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences. Sallie also served on the Board of Directors for Doncaster Clothing, the women’s fashion company founded in 1931 in Rutherfordton, NC. She was particularly proud of Doncaster’s combined commitment to supporting North Carolina industry and to donating a portion of its profits to charities supporting women and families worldwide.

Dedicated to serving her community, Sallie worked tirelessly for many North Carolina organizations, especially those focused on education and children. She served on the Greensboro Day School Board of Trustees from 1975 to 1985 and was elected as its first female Board Chair in 1983. Her lengthy service to the Day School was celebrated when the McMillion Center for the Arts was dedicated in her honor. Similarly, Sallie was elected as the first female President of the Greensboro Country Club and Roaring Gap Club. Diligently serving her hometown of Greensboro, she sat on the boards of the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina and Wesley Long Hospital, and was a member of the Dogwood Garden Club, Wednesday Literary Club, Greensboro Debutante Club, The Assembly, and Bon Appétit dinner club.

Sallie loved to travel, sharing many wonderful trips with not only her children and grandchildren but also with her closest group of female friends. Seeing the world with this group of special women filled Sallie with joy, making her second chapter particularly special. Often described by her friends and family as warm, generous, gracious, and a wonderful listener, Sallie was beloved by all who knew her. Throughout her life, she remained dedicated to the people and organizations she loved, but her greatest love was her family.

Sallie is survived by her loving daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth England, and her husband Andy, of Denver, CO, and Evans McMillion and her husband Chris Burgess of Norfolk, VA; her adoring grandchildren, Oliver and Sallie England and Lang and Macon Burgess. Sallie is predeceased by her devoted friend, Fred Folger, and her brother William J. Armfield IV. Special thanks to Nadia Bailey, who cared for Sallie in her later years with unmatched love and devotion.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM at West Market Street United Methodist Church in Greensboro, NC followed by a reception at the church. Later that day, a family burial will be held in Roaring Gap, NC followed by a reception at the Roaring Gap Club at 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, ATTN: Accounting, PO Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415, University of North Carolina Institute for the Arts and Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences, 523 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, or Greensboro Day School, 5401 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27455.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the McMillion family with arrangements. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com