G. Simms McDowell III

If you knew Gilmore Simms McDowell, III, chances are good you have a story you can tell about him - likely a story that makes you smile.

His story began Aug. 14, 1943, in Roanoke, VA, where he was born to Henrietta Phillips McDowell and Gilmore Simms McDowell, Jr. He grew up in Charleston, graduating from Gaud School, to his parents' great relief, then from the High School of Charleston, and then his beloved Sewanee: The University of the South. He earned a JD degree from the University of South Carolina. Long before he hung out his shingle on Broad Street, he delivered newspapers for The Evening Post, careful to ensure each toss left the paper right in front of the door and greeting every customer he saw. He worked during the summers at the Charleston Coca Cola Bottling Company.

As a lawyer, he walked to his office on Broad Street, speaking to every lawyer, paralegal, mail carrier, bank teller, and garage collector along the way. By name. It is fitting that he will be buried at Magnolia Cemetery. He loved it and served as president of its board for years. Simms also served on the District 20 Constituent School Board and was on the Board of Visitors at Sewanee. He was clerk of the South Carolina Society, and a member of the New England Society, the Society of the Cincinnati, the Rotary Club of Charleston and the St. Andrews Society.

He taught Sunday school at Grace Church, served on the vestry, and generally kept things lively. His passion was riding horseback - as a child riding with his father West of the Ashley through woods now covered with neighborhoods, and later riding to the hounds at Middleton Place and the Lowcountry Hunt in Bluffton.

Simms died Sunday, Aug. 21, in Charleston, where he lived happily and saw no need to go beyond the city's borders. Surviving are his wife, Elsa Freeman McDowell; daughter, Charlotte Martin, her husband, Ward, and grandchildren, Simms and Mac; daughter, Jean Martin, her husband, Patrick, and grandchildren, Elliot and David. He is also survived by his sister, Courtenay McDowell and her husband, Richard Gregory; and brother, Phillips McDowell and his wife, Pam; and six grandnephews and grandnieces.

The funeral will be at 2:00 pm Friday at Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth Street. A reception will follow. Arrangements are being handled by J. Henry Stuhr.

Those who are unable to be present can watch the live stream of the service by following this link: https://youtu.be/M-VHNaIEjqM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Church Cathedral or the Bishop Gadsden Employee Appreciation Fund at 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC 29412.

And about your Simms stories: Chances are they reflect a man of humor and a man with a kind heart. Would that his beating heart had been as strong as his love for his friends, family, and the next person he passed on the street.