Millard Russell Magee

Millard Russell "Russ" Magee, of Yale, VA, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2024, at the age of 83. He was born on July 21, 1940, and resided in Sussex County for most of his life.

Russ was a beloved pharmacist in Southside Virginia whose career spanned six decades at drugstores in Wakefield, Waverly, Petersburg, Surry, and Emporia. He graduated from Stony Creek High School in 1958 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Pharmacy at Medical College of Virginia in 1962.

When not behind the counter, Russ enjoyed following sports, particularly rooting for the New York Yankees and watching NASCAR. He certainly had a passion for automobiles, and is fondly remembered for owning a Dodge Charger “General Lee” replica in which his children got their first experiences behind the wheel. In recent years, he became an avid fan of horse racing, with a special fondness for the thoroughbred Sixtythreecaliber. During the course of his life, Russ had a number of dalmatians and cats for which he had a soft spot. He also enjoyed watching the birds at his numerous feeders, tending to his garden, and keeping up with the fishing adventures down at the pond.

Described as generous and nice, kind, smart, and funny, Russ will be deeply missed by his wife of 37 years, Randy; children, Sara, Hunt (Jen), and Mil; grandchildren, Madelaine and Mason; his brother, Dallas Magee (Betty); sister-in-law, Myra Johnson (Bob); nieces, Tracey and Brooks Anne; nephews, Scott, Halley, Robert, Richard, Weaver, and Blair; cousins, Don Rawlings and John Page Rawlings; his former wife, Martha Rose Saunders; and numerous good friends and lifelong buddies. He was preceded in death by his father, Millard Dallas Magee Jr., and mother, Rachael Bowen Magee.

Russ was the life-prescription we all wish we could refill. Yale has indeed lost one of its finest.

For charitable contributions in Russ' memory, please consider making a gift to Sussex County Fire Department, Antioch Baptist Church, or Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm.