Matthew Thomas Townsend

Matthew "Tommy" Thomas Townsend, Jr., 67, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Charlotte Gilliam Bessinger Townsend entered into eternal rest Wednesday, February 14, 2018. His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 17, 2018 in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street at 1:00 p.m. Interment, Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday in the Downtown Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Tommy was born September 27, 1950 in Charleston, South Carolina, son of the late Matthew Thomas Townsend, Sr. and Mary Murray Wayne Townsend. He was a graduate of Furman University with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and retired from the Charleston County School District Archives and Records Office. Tommy was a member of Saint James Church and Past President of the James Island Exchange Club. He was an avid reader and had a passion for history throughout his entire life. Tommy also had a knack for geography and closely followed politics. He was a very loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew him.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 24 years, Charlotte of Charleston, SC; son, Matthew Thomas Townsend, III of Huntsville, AL; daughter, Lorraine T. Perazzola (Carl) of Warner Robins, GA; step-daughter, Nicole Wilder (Bareiss)of Hanahan, SC; sister, Elizabeth Moultrie Townsend Perry (Joe) of Saint Mary's, GA; brother, Richard J. Townsend (Pamela) of James Island, SC; seven grandchildren: Madison, Katelyn, Hannah, Samantha, Caylee, Carl Dino, and Darren; father-in-law, Charles A. Gilliam of Charleston, SC; sister-in-law, Marta G. Boggs of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association SC Chapter, 2090 Executive Hall Road, Suite 130, Charleston, SC 29407 or Lutheran Hospice, 1885 Rifle Range Road, Suite 46, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.