Gedney Main Howe III

Gedney Main Howe III, 78, of Charleston, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest Friday, March 21, 2025. His Funeral Service will be held Friday, March 28, 2025, in Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting Street, at 11:00 am. A private family only interment to immediately follow in Second Presbyterian Churchyard. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun St. A reception will be held at the Rice Mill, 17 Lockwood Dr, following the service.

Gedney was born November 16, 1946, in Charleston, South Carolina, son of Gedney Main Howe, Jr. and Marybelle Higgins Howe. Gedney was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and he earned his law degree from USC School of Law. He was the Lead Attorney at the Law Offices of Gedney M. Howe III P.A. in Charleston.

A study in contrast, GIII was truly larger than life. Cutting the figure of a well-heeled, sharp-witted attorney with a short temper. The houses and parties misled most. Behind closed doors, Dad was a man of immense generosity; as Alvin and I discussed this afternoon, we will never truly know how many people he helped. The people he put through college, showing up at the right time to make sure ends meet, sitting bedside when friends were suffering, almost always on the condition of anonymity. The values instilled in him by his parents never wavered.

Gedney III represented people, businesses, schools, even the state of South Carolina and the Senate. He also aggressively pursued businesses, the FBI, the Coast Guard, the State, Lockheed Martin, and countless others. The bane and darling of Judges and Juries alike, he faced the old adage, “Is it better to be feared or loved?” and decided he would be both.

One of the largest projects of his life was the restoration of 16 Meeting Street (then called the Calhoun Mansion). Working diligently on it for over twenty years, the house became a showplace of Victorian architecture. As the renovation progressed under the careful eye of master craftsman Carl Boone, one of Gedney's most cherished friendships evolved. His children all knew Mr. Boone as "Granddaddy Boone" because of their close friendship.

Because of the length of the restoration and the fact the Gedney worked side by side with the many local artisans, (all of whom had nicknames), Gedney also developed lifelong friendships with a cast of characters with names like Dirty Harry, Snapper, Princey, Hamfat and Stinky.

Beyond the practice Gedney cherished so many close relationships with friends and mentors from all over: Bobby Lee Cook, Carl Boone, Richard Fields, Andy Savage, Kenneth Goode, B. Brown, Charles Williams, Buzz “Buzzard” Harper, and the Hampton Park Gang. While some have passed on, their memories never left Gedney, and it didn’t take much for him to launch into a story about his buddies.

When Gedney finally settled down his children became the center of his world. Always in awe of Sydney’s athletic accomplishments and globetrotting adventures, everyone in his sphere knew what part of the world she was in at any given time. Charles’ varied interests kept Gedney on his toes and constantly learning about topics he had never known existed. Gedney IV’s wild ways required a vigilant eye for years, although once they began practicing law together a wonderful, dynamic, often loud, working relationship evolved and wise words were replaced with sharp tongues and hard heads.

Gedney III always wanted what was best for his children and knew how to help get them there, even if it was kicking and screaming.

He is survived by his two sons, Gedney Howe IV(Mae), Charles A Howe; daughter, Sydney Cochran (Ryan); grandchild, Marybelle B Howe; brother, Donald H (Greta) Howe, partner in crime, Alvin Hammer.

Gedney was preceded in death by his sister, Belle H. Stoddard; and brother, Robert G. Howe.

Memorials may be made to University of South Carolina School of Law or Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital.