CHARLES E. TOMS
Retired U.S. Army E-7 Charles Eugene "Sarge" Toms, 65, was the husband of Kathye D. Mathis-Toms and son of Bernice Boykins Toms and the late Clyde Toms.
"Sarge" was educated in Cleveland County School District, graduating from Crest High School. After graduating, he relocated to Queens, New York. While in New York, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina, and completed two tours to Germany and earned several awards. While in Fayetteville, he completed some classes at Fayetteville Technical Institute. He then became a recruiter and Florence was his duty station. He became top recruiter of Battalion "Swamp Fox" twice as well as other awards. It was there he met his heart string, "Shorty," Kathye Mathis. These two were best friends and partners. Sarge and Kat were married on May 18, 1989.
The top award was on March 28, 2002 with the birth of their son, Alexander De'Yaunte Toms. Now it was "Three Toms," as they often would say. Alex was his heart, often seen doing "father-son" trips, some local (games, shopping etc.) and some long distance. Three Toms enjoyed each other, traveling, cooking out, sitting outside on the porch/patio, playing checkers, playing cards ... and, of course, playing with "Miss Bu-Bu." He enjoyed family time with his wife and son.
After health issues for nearly five years, he departed this life on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at Palmetto Health Tuomey.
He is remembered by his wife, Kathye; and son, Alexander Toms of the home; his mother, Bernice Toms; sisters, Annette, Allison, Sheila, Phyllis and Gwendolyn, all of Shelby, North Carolina; mother-in-law, Essie Mathis of Belton; brothers-in-law, Earl F. Mathis Jr. of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jerry Whittington of Shelby; close friends, Earl Hilton, Curtis Jackson and Oliver Peterson; "sister-in-law," Hannah Gurley; godchildren, Darryl and Ilissa Cunningham; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father and brothers, David and Ray Toms of Shelby.
Mr. Toms will be placed in the church at 5 p.m. today for viewing until the hour of service.
Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. today at Salem Chapel and Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, with Pastor D.L. Grant officiating, Pastor Ezekiel Hampton, eulogist, and Pastor Darryl Cunningham and Minister Pygatt assisting.
Interment will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia.
The family will receive friends at the home, 1319 Richwood Drive, Sumter, SC 29153.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.
Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.