Southern Wesleyan University history professor dies at age 61
History professor Dr. Louis Palmer Towles Jr. died Sept. 29 at the age of 61.
Dr. Towles left an afternoon faculty meeting feeling ill and later died at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital in Easley after suffering a heart attack.
Serving as professor of history at the Southern Wesleyan University since 1972, Dr. Towles was a distinguished faculty member with 32 years of service to the institution.
“He was a significant figure in the lives of his colleagues, friends and especially for the hundreds of students he has influenced through his teaching, scholarship and commitment,” said Dr. David Spittal, Southern Wesleyan University president.
In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Towles served in a variety of campus roles including class sponsor and sponsor of the Student Government Association.
Dr. Towles received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston; a master’s degree and doctorate from University of South Carolina.
“During his years of service at Southern Wesleyan University, Dr. Towles has been recognized frequently by the university and his colleagues and students as an outstanding scholar and as a lecturer with an amazing breadth of knowledge that reflects both his intellect and his deep love of history,” Dr. Spittal said.
During his career, Dr. Towles was the recipient of numerous fellowships and study grants and has conducted research leading to publication of many articles and books.
He was a native of Charleston, a son of Lois Miller Wayne of Mt. Pleasant and the late Louis Palmer Towles.
In addition to his mother, Dr. Towles is survived by a son, Louis Palmer Towles III of Atlanta, Ga.; daughters, Rebecca Marie Sligh and her husband, William, of Atlanta, Ga., and Amy Towles of Easley; a brother, Winfield C. Towles of Chevy Chase, Md.; a stepbrother, Walter P. Crews of Piedmont; and a grandson, Devon Sligh.
Funeral services were held Oct. 1 at First Wesleyan Church on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University, with burial to be held at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston.