Marcus Owens Ackerman III

Marcus Owens Ackerman III, 55, of Charleston, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest Thursday, December 7, 2023. His Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road at 11:00 am.  The family will receive friends in the funeral chapel from 10:00 am until time of the service.  

He is survived by his son, Hayden Ackerman of Simpsonville, SC and daughter, Hartleigh Ackerman, also of Simpsonville, SC; his mother, Patricia Ann "Patsy" Canfield Ackerman of Charleston; his father, Marcus O. Ackerman, Jr. and his wife Dru Strickland-Ackerman of North Charleston; his sisters, Jennifer A. Mason (Anthony) of McClellanville, SC, and Jill A. Settle (John) of Charleston; his aunt and uncle, Jeanne and Don Gerhardt of Charleston; several close cousins, nieces and nephews; and one great-nephew. He is also survived by his former wife, Alisha Markham, the mother of his children.

Marc was born October 25, 1968 in Fort Benning, Georgia. He grew up in the Hobcaw Creek neighborhood of Mt. Pleasant where he made lifelong friends and learned to fish and navigate the water ways.  Marc attended The East Cooper School and Wando High School, and later Trident Technical College.  

Marc's strong work ethic began at an early age in his father’s dog training and air duct businesses. His first paying job was at Mt. Pleasant Seafood, starting years of service in the seafood and restaurant business, including Crosby's, Wild Dunes, and other local Charleston restaurants.  As a young man, Marc worked in his grandparent’s jewelry business, Adams and Ortmann on King Street. Like his grandfather, Marc had an affinity for watches and maintained a nice collection. 

Marc married Alisha in 1995 and relocated to Simpsonville, SC, where he began a successful career in the telecommunications and technology business. He worked for Scan Source Catalyst Telecom, Synnex and most recently with Sangoma. Throughout his life, Marc loved to fish and was an avid Cross Fitness and Tae Kwon Do practitioner. He earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and later shared this passion with Hayden and Hartleigh.

Marc deeply loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. His delight was to bring home a gracious bounty to prepare for dinner. Cooking was a love language for Marc and he demonstrated that quite often for family and friends. 

Marc was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and was later baptized at Simpsonville First Baptist Church. 

Marc’s family is eternally grateful for his devoted caregivers that were with him during his final days. His fight truly became their fight until the end. We are also grateful for long-time friends who blessed him with boat rides and sunsets.

Memorials may be made to MUSC Foundation, c/o Hollings Cancer Center for Pancreatic Research, 18 Bee Street, MCS 450, Charleston, SC 29425.

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