Connie Mac Milum, 93, of Nashville, Ark., passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on Aug. 8, 2026. He was born on June 15, 1933, in Pyatt, Ark., the only child of R.A. and Zena Huddleston Milum.
Connie Mac grew up in Flippin, Ark. After graduating from Flippin High School, he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. In 1953, eager for adventure and a chance to serve his country, he paused his studies and joined the United States Navy as a pilot. He was sent to Pensacola, Fla., for flight training and was later stationed at NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fla., where he served as a member of the “Grim Reapers” fighter squadron. It was in Jacksonville that Connie Mac met and married the love of his life, Gail Scarborough Milum, on May 25, 1957.
Connie Mac loved his home state of Arkansas. After completing his active-duty service in the Navy, he and Gail returned to Fayetteville and he earned his bachelor’s degree in ag business from the U of A. After graduation, he was hired by Central Soya and was sent to Murfreesboro, Ark., to begin his career in the poultry industry. Connie Mac later started Sunnyside Poultry Company in Nashville, Ark., and was a founding board member of Citizens State Bank. In 1979, Connie Mac and Gail embarked on a new adventure, moving to Pine Bluff, Ark., and establishing Milum’s First Class Feeds. Wherever he lived, Connie Mac was actively engaged in the communities he called home, participating in numerous civic and religious organizations.
After his retirement, Connie Mac and Gail moved back to Nashville, where he was a member of First United Methodist Church. He was a devoted supporter of his grandchildren and the Scrappers, attending countless football, baseball, and basketball games, dance recitals, tennis matches, and award assemblies.
Although he had many accomplishments throughout his life, nothing brought Connie Mac greater pride and joy than his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Gail; his children, Mike Milum (Cathy) and Stacy Purnell (Robert); his grandchildren, Meredith Milum DuBose (Connor), Michael Milum (Whitney), and Nancy-Gail Purnell; his great-grandchildren, Mary-Milum DuBose, Cooper Milum, Rush DuBose, Conley Milum, Wyatt DuBose, and Mitzi-Catherine Milum; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Rick Purnell.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Sammy Barnes, NP, and Connie Mac’s care team at the VA Clinic in Hot Springs; Ashton Sirmon, Sharon Rauth, and Kaitlin Woodruff of Elite Hospice; and Cristy Adams, Bonnie Self, and Freddie & Michelle Ortiz for their exceptional kindness, compassion, and care.
Connie Mac’s life will be celebrated on August 12, 2026, at First United Methodist Church in Nashville, Ark., with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and the memorial service immediately following at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church in Nashville, the Nashville Scrapper Booster Club, or the charitable organization of your choice.
