Dr. Thomas Delbert Mathews

Dr. Thomas Delbert Mathews, 81, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. 

Born on December 15, 1942, in Charleston, he was the son of the late Gertrude Rumph Mathews and Aaron Delbert Mathews.

Tommy grew up in North Charleston and was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science and PhD in chemistry and spent time at Texas A&M University and Georgia Tech. Tommy was married to his wife, Sue, for almost 54 years. He was a chemical oceanographer at the Department of Natural Resources and taught at the College of Charleston. A proud Navy veteran, Tommy retired as Commander, and was a member of the Military Officers Association of America. He was a longtime member of Harbor View Presbyterian Church who loved his church family and freely volunteered his time. He had a fabulous sense of humor, loved to travel, and was a man of many talents. Tommy was an avid hobbyist who enjoyed woodworking, especially building furniture, photography, cutting gems, and crafting knives. 

Thomas is survived by his wife Phyllis Sue Mathews; son Aaron Thomas Mathews (Lauren Owings Mathews); daughter Sarah Elizabeth Mathews; granddaughters Emma Anderson Mathews, Anne Thomas Mathews, and Nora Grace Mathews; granddogs Archer and Lana; and many cousins. 

The graveside service will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 12:00pm at Rumph Family Cemetery, Fisk Road off Old Wire Road, Dorchester County, SC.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Harbor View Presbyterian Church, 900 Harbor View Road, Charleston, SC 29412. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harbor View Presbyterian Church https://abundant.co/hvpc/give or Montreat Conference Center https://montreat.org/support/montreat-fund

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.