Elizabeth S Towles

Elizabeth Starr Towles, born September 30, 1931, of Atlanta, Georgia and Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2021. A native Atlantan, Elizabeth graduated from Washington Seminary (now The Westminster Schools). She attended Randolph Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. On September 21, 1951, Elizabeth married W. Thomas Towles (Tommy), who was her soulmate for 64 years. Elizabeth will be remembered for her gracious southern manner, fun-loving spirit, and generous love of family.

In addition to being a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was an active member of numerous organizations in the Atlanta community including A. G. Rhodes as past president of the Board of Managers, Sheltering Arms as past Board President, the Randolph Macon Alumni Association, Girl Scouts as a Troop Leader, the Shepherd Center and the High Museum of Art. She was a founding member of Saint James United Methodist Church in Atlanta, where she attended for 65 years. Elizabeth taught Sunday School for many years, established the church library and supported the music program.

Elizabeth, or Liz as she was often called, also enjoyed playing sports, particularly tennis and golf. For many years, she was a proud member of the “Backyard Biddies,” one of the teams that helped established the ALTA tennis program. She enjoyed playing golf at Cherokee Country Club, John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Highlands Country Club and Peachtree Golf Club. Elizabeth and her late husband, Tommy, enjoyed traveling and together they explored many exciting places around the world. Elizabeth had a group of lifelong friends with whom she enjoyed socializing. She played bridge and especially loved to read and prepare delicious southern meals.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, David Homer Starr and Gladys Thrower Starr, by her husband, William Thomas Towles, by her brothers, Homer and James Starr and her sisters, Virginia Starr Dobbs, Charlotte Starr Bates, and Nancy Starr Johnston. She is survived by her two sons, W. Thomas Towles, Jr. (Cathy) and David L. Towles (Joni) and her daughter, Joan Towles Matthews. In addition, she is survived by seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Towles Franklin (Jason), Constance Towles Hodges (Ryan), Virginia Baillie Strong (Charles), David L. Towles Jr. (Ansley), Eleanor Towles, William C. Matthews (Lisa), Andrew Michael Matthews, and by six great grandchildren, Lilly, Brooks, Edward, Charlotte, Evan and Walker. The family is very grateful to Wanda Miller for her kindness and assistance to their mother, especially in recent years.

A private memorial service will be held for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elizabeth’s memory may be made to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta or the Indian River Land Trust in Vero Beach. Online condolences may be offered at hmpattersonspringhill.com.