Charles Oliver Golson Iii

Charlie Golson passed away peacefully at his home after a long illness, surrounded by his family as he wished, on Friday, September 27, 2024. He was born in Savannah on October 10, 1948, the first child of Charles O. Golson, Jr. and Elinor Palmer Stiles. He attended St. Michael’s Day School and graduated from Savannah High School. He later earned a degree in English from the University of South Carolina where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He studied culinary arts at the Alliance Francaise in Paris. His love of France led him to enlist in the Peace Corps and he was a teacher of English to culinary students in Dakar, Senegal. His web of friends extended all over the globe.

Charlie began his culinary journey at the Chatham Club in Savannah under Chef Yogi. He later took over the kitchen of the Washington House in Greenville, SC. It was there he met his future wife, Nancy Lancaster. He later worked as a sous chef for the Hyatt Corporation, in Charleston, SC and later in Washington, DC. He and Nancy returned to the low country and purchased a small restaurant on Hilton Head, near the Palmetto Dunes entrance. They built a home on the family property on Myrtle Island near Bluffton. Charlie chose the name “Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte” for the restaurant – a homage to his favorite eatery in Paris. His business grew and expanded into a larger property he purchased on New Orleans Road. The restaurant, his legacy, continues under the management of his son and daughter.

Charlie was a long-term member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Savannah. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, his son Palmer Golson and his wife Marty and their sons William and Henry, and his daughter Margaret Golson Pearman and her husband Chris and their daughters Elinor and Fern, all of Bluffton, and his brother Hugh Stiles Golson of Savannah. Charlie was predeceased by his sister, Elinor Palmer Golson of Alexandria, Virginia. Known for his large laugh and love for all, he will be greatly missed.  A service will be held on his birthday, October 10, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Savannah. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the family's residence, friends and family are invited to attend. His ashes will be scattered on the May River in front of his home, Mayfair.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can made to, Shepherd Center, Attn: Foundation, 2020 Peachtree Rd, NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, "In Memory of Charles Oliver Golson III" or online to: https://donate.shepherd.org/give/599045/#!/donation/checkout

Shepherd Center
Web: https://donate.shepherd.org/give/599045/#!/donation/checkout