By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Two of the four town council seats in the Town of Port Royal are available this election cycle, and there are three candidates who believe that they are the right fit to fill the seats for the next four years.
The Town of Port Royal has five members sitting on its town council, four elected council members and the mayor.
The 2025 election, which falls on Tuesday, Nov. 4 with early voting beginning on Monday, Oct. 20, will decide who will fill the two open seats.
There are two incumbents and one newcomer running for the two open seats.
Mary Beth Gray-Heyward was born and raised in Port Royal and has served on town council for 34 years. She retired from her job working for Beaufort County EMS and Beaufort Memorial Hospital in 2021 and has also served on the Lowcountry Council of Government Board for the town of Port Royal for 34 years and is the first vice chair for the Ladies Auxiliary at AMVETS.
Fellow incumbent Darryl Owens has served on the town council since May 2017. He was born and raised on St. Helena Island and moved to Port Royal in 1996.
Owens was formerly employed with the Beaufort County School District as a Branch Manager for the Transportation Department and Jasper County Schools as Chief of Operations. He is currently serving on the Board of Trustees for Historic Penn Center and is employed as Facilities Manager with the Beaufort Jasper Economic Opportunity Commission.
Angie Tillman is originally from Athens, Ga. and moved to Port Royal just over a year ago with her husband Phin. She said that she has become acquainted with the community over the past several years through her small business, Phickles Pickles, for which she has been delivering to places all over northern Beaufort County.
Tillman has never held an elected position; this is her first time running. But she has served in many volunteer positions and thinks that her fresh perspective and small-business experience would be good for the Town of Port Royal.
All three candidates were given three questions to answer by The Island News:
What influenced your decision to run for Port Royal’s town council?
Mary Beth Gray-Heyward: I made the decision to run because I am a homegrown girl and the 34 years of experience and dedication being on council has given me the knowledge of how to support a community as a whole. I’ve dedicated the last 34 years to being the voice of the people of Port Royal, listening to their needs and working to support the concerns of my constituents. I have always made the most advantageous fiscal decisions to help Port Royal grow economically and financially. I don’t personally know my opponents nor what they stand for, but I have the expertise which only comes from experience in the day-to-day operations of Port Royal.
Darryl Owens: I have decided to seek re-election to continue the work and progress that Council has achieved and is implementing to ensure Port Royal remains a thriving small-town community that balances economic and developmental growth with low taxes and preservation of its unique charm.
Angie Tillman: I was influenced to run for town council by my love for this beautiful, historical town and the people who make it so special. As a small business owner with the skills to navigate through adversity and a heart for community, I want to help bridge generations, ideas, and voices. Port Royal is growing, and I believe thoughtful, sincere leadership — with a little creativity and kindness — can keep our Port Royal charming while guiding its bright future. I have always been an advocate for small, independently owned businesses and will be a strong voice for our shop and restaurant owners — I don’t want to see big box stores come in and change the heart of Port Royal. I’m not only concerned for the Village of Port Royal but also the areas across the bridge — where many new, young families live, work and play. I know I can be the BRIDGE that connects all parts of our community giving a voice to everyone.
A major issue for council for several years now has been the Port of Port Royal, what are your hopes for the future of this project?
Mary Beth Gray-Heyward: I hope that we can continue working with Safe Harbor to build out the people’s vision. You know, back in the early years before the port was sold, the townspeople got together and did charrettes, and what they did is they planned what they wanted to see down there if the port ever sold. It did and we already had the zoning in place, like we had the marina, we had the resident, the business and then we had the residential so they’re building out and we’ve had meetings with them and they will be at our November council meeting to share what they are coming up with. But if it is exactly the way we have talked about it, we have worked with them very hard to maintain the town’s vision. Like in the Marina District, I have been advocating for a promenade deck so that they people of Port Royal always have access to the water to be able to go down and use it. They can have like buildings along the promenade deck that have a little shop in the bottom and a little apartment up top and then you move over to the restaurants and have a couple of restaurants. Then up in the residential area, we wanted that to fit the texture of the neighborhood, and we have gotten them and it’s in the development agreement and they can only build out 15% rental, everything else has to be single-family owned, and that would fit the texture of the neighborhood because that’s what the people wanted and that’s what will make it look good. We’ll have green space for the dogs, they gave us access to bring the Spanish Moss Trail through there, so I think it’s very important that we continue to work hard with them to get this done for Port Royal.
Darryl Owens: Working collaboratively with port property owners to ensure their compliance with the PUD and DA, and to guarantee the establishment of public spaces and a promenade as per the terms of agreement.
Angie Tillman: I hope the Port becomes a gathering place that truly reflects the heart of Port Royal —a blend of our small-town soul and coastal beauty. I’d love to see a walkable, welcoming waterfront filled with local flavor, music, and community connection. A place where people can stroll, shop and share sunsets together — where progress meets preservation and Port Royal’s pride shines. At a recent gathering with the Historic Port Royal Foundation, I learned the possibility of Port Royal purchasing one of the shrimp boats that was actually built here in Port Royal. I would LOVE that! To have a special piece of our history front and center for tours would be a perfect addition to the port for locals and visitors alike.
What, in your opinion, is the biggest issue facing the Town of Port Royal currently?
Mary Beth Gray-Heyward: I think just making sure that as we move forward that we continue to use smart growth and development and don’t outdo ourselves to the point where we can’t continue to have a beautiful community, a safer community for the people in it. I think it’s important to make sure that we can maintain all the services that we provide and make that community the best community it can be.
Darryl Owens: Attracting businesses that align with Port Royal’s vision, stimulating economic growth, providing infrastructure to support expansion and new businesses, and maintaining ongoing collaboration with the Port developers.
Angie Tillman: In my opinion, Port Royal’s biggest challenge is managing growth while protecting the charm and character that make this place so special. As more people discover our little gem, we must balance progress with preservation — keeping our community safe, walkable, and connected while ensuring infrastructure and planning stay ahead of development. Thoughtful leadership AND community input are key to growing wisely without losing our soul. One area of concern to me is the crossing of the Spanish Moss Trail across Ribaut Road. I worry about the safety for pedestrians there. I live at the Russell Bell Bridge and know firsthand how difficult it is to make a left turn off Lenora Drive onto Ribaut. It’s a dangerous spot already with all the traffic coming and going across the bridge over Battery Creek — only to possibly be more congested with the current trail crossing plans.
A candidate forum will be held on Monday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. at Port Royal Elementary School at 1214 Paris Avenue for all three candidates. The forum will be hosted by Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and will be moderated by Chamber President Megan Morris.
The event is open to all to attend in person and will also be streamed live on Facebook and on the County Channel. No campaign signs, gear or rallies are allowed inside or on the property.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
