Dorothea "Tia" McMillan

1944 - 2026

Dorothea McMillan Obituary

Dorothea Dorothea "Tia" McMillan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, businesswoman and community leader, passed away peacefully at home in Shepherdstown, WV, on May 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 81.

Born in Charleston, WV, on October 29, 1944, Tia graduated from Charleston High School (1962) and later from Sweet Briar College (1966), where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

For 59 years, she shared a remarkable partnership with her husband, Bob McMillan. Together they built a life rooted in family, entrepreneurship, generosity and service to West Virginia.

Tia was vice president and co-owner of Jefferson Distributing Company in Martinsburg, WV, and devoted much of her life to civic, educational and cultural causes throughout the Eastern Panhandle. She was a founding board member and past board president of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, helping guide its early growth into a leading regional philanthropic organization. She also played a foundational role in the creation of the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, WV, and served as both a founding and honorary board member.

Her many civic and cultural commitments included leadership roles with Shepherd University, Trinity Episcopal Church, the West Virginia Humanities Council, the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in West Virginia and a regent of Gunston Hall in Virginia. Alongside Bob, she also helped preserve Charles Washington's historic Happy Retreat property in Charles Town, WV.

Tia received numerous honors during her lifetime, including Berkeley County Citizen of the Year, the Girl Scouts Shawnee Council Woman of Distinction Award, the Shepherdstown Rotary Club Vocational Service Award, the Shepherd University's President's Award and the "Most Loyal West Virginian" award from West Virginia University.

While her accomplishments were many, Tia was most proud of her family and friendships. She loved reading, gardening, tennis, golf and skiing. She will be remembered for her warmth, intellect, generosity and welcoming smile.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Esther Campbell, and her sister, Esther Campbell. She is survived by her devoted husband, Bob McMillan; her brother, Hugh Campbell (Jan) of Alexandria, VA; her children, Julia McMillan-Jones (Simon) of Burlingame, CA, Andrew McMillan (Kakie) of Shepherdstown, WV, and Tyler McMillan (Robert) of Washington, DC. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Evan, Zara, Quinn, Will, Anna and Liza. She is also survived by numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A service honoring Tia's life will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown, WV, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation or the Contemporary American Theater Festival.