Obituary for Barbara Joan McMullan
Barbara P McMullan passed away peacefully at The Woodlands at Furman Arboretum on December 16, 2022. As she aged she would joke about the spirit being willing, but the body wearing out. Born January 28, 1932, she was predeceased by her husband of 25 years Dan McMullan, and her parents Len Paff and Helene Futch.
Due to her father’s jobs she grew up along the east coast, attending 27 schools before finishing high school in Eau Gallie, Florida. Her high school was so small that it merged to Melbourne HS. She met her husband in Jacksonville where they were both attending business school.
She told many stories of life including the early days of local WSPA-TV. She worked for the founder, Walter Brown when the station went on air April 29, 1956. She enjoyed telling stories about the early days of television when everything was live.
She and Dan acquired Moon & Freeman Heating & Air Conditioning which became the largest Carrier and Frigidaire dealer in South Carolina. She continued to run it after he passed away. Through the business they were able to take many trips abroad. You know, back when traveling was fun. Not knowing the language was never a hindrance. Anyone traveling with her was guaranteed to have a good time. There was the trip to Greece where they came upon a parade. Through a translator, found out it was for the King of Greece. The group was welcome to stay, just advised not to touch the King.
Then there was getting locked in the Tower of London thanks to a new alarm system for the Crown Jewels malfunctioning. Imagine almost an hour of no crowds. In Vienna Austria there was a castle she wanted to see, so she followed a driver up the mountain into his driveway convinced he was headed that way. He graciously led her down the mountain, got her on the right road. Pointing out the name of the castle.
She and Dan sponsored local racecar driver, Butch Lindley for many years. Volunteering and being involved in the community was always important to her. Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, local swim team, kite flying contests. On the rare occasion there was snow, she made sure neighborhood roads were blocked so kids could enjoy sledding. She was a Life Member of Soroptimist International of Greenville, volunteering with Rape Crisis, domestic violence along with other programs assisting women and girls,. She was also a charter member of the Greater Greenville Basketball Club, which was rather funny. They didn’t realize she was a woman until the first meeting. She ended up being the Treasurer for so long, that when elections were held, she was automatically elected.
A member of St Andrews Episcopal Church she could be counted on making sure birthdays and anniversaries were remembered, along with notes to those who weren’t able to attend. She loved cooking whenever the Church had parish dinners.
Barbara is survived by her children: Lisa Brandon (Brian), LouAnne Hunnicutt (Steven), and Danny McMullan; grandchildren: Tripp Gorman (Jessi), Erin Yeager (Ken), Christie Nelson (Mark), and Jason McMullan (Kate); four great-grandchildren: Rob Gorman, Kaylin Richey, Ori McMullan, and Thackston McMullan.
The family expresses their thanks and gratitude to the staff at Woodlands at Furman. She thoroughly enjoyed living there, being quick to tell others how wonderful a place it was. Also thanks to the people at Interim Healthcare who helped her and her family during her final days. They made it so much easier for everyone.
Services will be held 12:00 PM Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at St Andrews Episcopal Church, Greenville, SC. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Elephant Managers Assoc, 1513 Cambridge St, Houston, TX 77030; or St Andrews Episcopal Church, 1002 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601.
Due to her father’s jobs she grew up along the east coast, attending 27 schools before finishing high school in Eau Gallie, Florida. Her high school was so small that it merged to Melbourne HS. She met her husband in Jacksonville where they were both attending business school.
She told many stories of life including the early days of local WSPA-TV. She worked for the founder, Walter Brown when the station went on air April 29, 1956. She enjoyed telling stories about the early days of television when everything was live.
She and Dan acquired Moon & Freeman Heating & Air Conditioning which became the largest Carrier and Frigidaire dealer in South Carolina. She continued to run it after he passed away. Through the business they were able to take many trips abroad. You know, back when traveling was fun. Not knowing the language was never a hindrance. Anyone traveling with her was guaranteed to have a good time. There was the trip to Greece where they came upon a parade. Through a translator, found out it was for the King of Greece. The group was welcome to stay, just advised not to touch the King.
Then there was getting locked in the Tower of London thanks to a new alarm system for the Crown Jewels malfunctioning. Imagine almost an hour of no crowds. In Vienna Austria there was a castle she wanted to see, so she followed a driver up the mountain into his driveway convinced he was headed that way. He graciously led her down the mountain, got her on the right road. Pointing out the name of the castle.
She and Dan sponsored local racecar driver, Butch Lindley for many years. Volunteering and being involved in the community was always important to her. Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, local swim team, kite flying contests. On the rare occasion there was snow, she made sure neighborhood roads were blocked so kids could enjoy sledding. She was a Life Member of Soroptimist International of Greenville, volunteering with Rape Crisis, domestic violence along with other programs assisting women and girls,. She was also a charter member of the Greater Greenville Basketball Club, which was rather funny. They didn’t realize she was a woman until the first meeting. She ended up being the Treasurer for so long, that when elections were held, she was automatically elected.
A member of St Andrews Episcopal Church she could be counted on making sure birthdays and anniversaries were remembered, along with notes to those who weren’t able to attend. She loved cooking whenever the Church had parish dinners.
Barbara is survived by her children: Lisa Brandon (Brian), LouAnne Hunnicutt (Steven), and Danny McMullan; grandchildren: Tripp Gorman (Jessi), Erin Yeager (Ken), Christie Nelson (Mark), and Jason McMullan (Kate); four great-grandchildren: Rob Gorman, Kaylin Richey, Ori McMullan, and Thackston McMullan.
The family expresses their thanks and gratitude to the staff at Woodlands at Furman. She thoroughly enjoyed living there, being quick to tell others how wonderful a place it was. Also thanks to the people at Interim Healthcare who helped her and her family during her final days. They made it so much easier for everyone.
Services will be held 12:00 PM Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at St Andrews Episcopal Church, Greenville, SC. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Elephant Managers Assoc, 1513 Cambridge St, Houston, TX 77030; or St Andrews Episcopal Church, 1002 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601.