Ellyn B. McNair

Ellyn Susann Blair McNair passed away peacefully at her home in Aiken, SC, August 29, 2026.

Born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, October 2, 1933, Ellyn went on to live an adventurous childhood in 10 states and a year in Buenos Aires, Argentina, residing in many homes during her lifetime. She is the daughter of beloved parents Robert Collyer Blair and Mary Katharine Reilly Blair, and sister to Kay Reilly Blair Johnson (Harold) and Barbara Ann Blair Hutchinson (Lawrence).

In 1951, her family moved to Aiken, where Mr. Blair was the first Assistant Manager for the Atomic Energy Commission at the inception of the then Savannah River Plant. That year, having attended 12 schools, 5 of which were high schools, she graduated from Richmond Academy, Augusta, GA. Ellyn attended the University of Florida, Gainesville, for the next 2 1/2 years, where she was initiated into Delta Delta Delta, a women’s national fraternity.

Ellyn and popular Aiken golf professional Jim McNair, Sr., met in 1952 while both were working: Ellyn as a summer student employee at the Savannah River Plant. She married James Malcolm McNair, Sr., the love of her life, at the Little Church Around the Corner (The Church of the Transfiguration) in New York City in 1954.

A call came from the Charlotte Country Club for Jim to come as their head golf professional, and the next 5 years were busy for him at the club, and Ellyn, with three little children: Cheryl Kay McNair, James Malcolm McNair, Jr., and Robert Blair McNair.

In 1959, the city of Aiken offered The Aiken Golf Club for sale and it was Jim’s dream to “own,” so the family of five moved back to Aiken.

Within that next year, a call was made to Jim to help build and manage the Deerwood Golf Club in Jacksonville, Florida. The next 3 years were especially happy ones in Florida, blessed with the birth of their 4th child, Scott Craig McNair.

Aiken was calling Jim back, and the family returned for good in 1963. Her 4 children were the gift of her life, and the following years were spent enjoying their lives and the family’s days on our SC coast.

Jim’s health failed in the ’90s and his family still grieves the loss of their beloved husband, father and grandfather in 2001. Ownership of the Aiken Golf Club passed into the capable hands of Jim, Jr. in 1986. Cheryl established a career in Las Vegas, while son Scott managed the Frank Lloyd Wright plantation “Auldbrass” for 30 years in SC. In 2014, Ellyn suffered deeply the loss of their son, Robert, our beloved historian and musician.

Ellyn’s family were members of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, where she was blessed to be a Eucharistic Visitor for 22 years. Her longtime goal to complete her college career became a reality, and in 1977 she received her BA degree in Sociology from the University of South Carolina at Aiken. She helped at ACTS, and most recently became a member of the SRS Heritage Foundation, preserving the history of the Savannah River Site.

In 2007, son Jim invited Ellyn to manage the “Snack Shack.” She retired in 2017, but continued to bake cookies for the weekend golfers for several years.

Between 2002 and 2019, Ellyn and daughter Cheryl, our lawyer and realtor, enjoyed many wonderful world cruises together.

Her life was blessed in many ways with loving daughters-in-law Victoria Margaret Eynon McNair (Jim) and Katherine Gaye Oglesby McNair (Scott).

Many happy times were spent with grandchildren James Malcolm McNair III (Kathryne Ackell), Victoria Blair McNair Kearse (Justin Matthew), Katherine Rose McNair Hendrickson (Matthew Warren), Frances Ellyn McNair Qualls (Micah David), and Preston Scott McNair (Madison Nicole).

Her life and family grew more delightful with the birth of great-grandchildren: Marleigh Francine Hendrickson, Leo David Qualls, Winston Ford Hendrickson, Barrett James Qualls, Ellyn Austen Qualls, Kellen James Kearse, Amelia Margaret McNair, Rink Evren Qualls, Reece Woodrow Kearse, and Roland Doyle Qualls.

Ellyn also has many cousins, nieces and nephews who were devoted and so well-loved.

She was preceded in death by her cherished parents, husband, son Robert, and sister Barbara. Praising God, she is survived by her sister Kay, her dearly loved children Cheryl, Jim, Jr., Scott, and their families.

“My share in life has been pleasant; my part has been beautiful.”

Psalm 16:6 NCV

The family invites friends to join them in a celebration of her life at Legends Grille at the Aiken Golf Club, 555 Highland Park Dr. SW, Aiken, drop-in 3-5:00 September 23rd. This will follow a private interment service for the family at Bethany Cemetery (1:00) and a memorial service for family at the Chapel of the Apostles, St Thaddeus Episcopal Church, 125 Pendleton Street SW, Aiken (2:00).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Thaddeus Church Soup Kitchen.