Benjamin Robertson Schools

Benjamin Robertson Schools, 29, of Charleston, SC, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025, surrounded by his family, after his third battle with cancer. Ben and his surviving wife, Sarah Alexander Schools, celebrated their third anniversary on June 4th.

Ever the gentleman, Ben was born one minute after his twin sister Nella Gray on February 20, 1996, and two years after his older sister Susannah.

Ben was a surfer, a writer, a poet, a musician, an avid reader, a man of deep faith, a lover of the outdoors, and a wonderful husband, son, brother, grandson, cousin, and nephew. He was wise and sincere beyond his years and unquestioningly supportive of friends and family alike.

Ben graduated with honors from Porter-Gaud School, where he was awarded the Anthony Toomer Porter Award, the highest honor given to a graduating senior. He earned his B.A. in English from The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where as a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity – better known as FIJI -- he found a band of brothers as a balance to his sisters at home. Ben’s friendships from Porter-Gaud and with his fraternity brothers endure and flourish to this day. Ben also obtained a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the College of Charleston during which he continued to hone his creative writing talents. During his schooling, Ben wrote for the Charleston Mercury, worked as a barista at Kudu Coffee, and later wrote for several non-profits focused on conservation, which was a mission very important to him.

Recently, Ben was thrilled to begin his career in the financial world in client services with Dan Parker’s group at Raymond James. Ben was so happy to be a part of this team, where he hoped that his facility with language, numbers, and relationships would help the group and its clients reach their goals. When Ben’s cancer returned, Dan and his team were unwaveringly supportive and caring.

Ben loved the water. First, as a child growing up and spending much time at the Barkley beach house on Sullivan’s Island, and then later basically camped out at his friends the Griffiths’ house on the Isle of Palms, and finally surfing 13th Street at Folly Beach with his friends and hanging out at the Tidwell’s, Ben was at home on the water. Whether surfing, paddling, swimming, or boating on Hobcaw Creek, in Charleston harbor, at the beach or around Morris Island, Ben loved being on the water.

He felt blessed in all parts of his life. Ben’s greatest blessing came when he met and married Sarah Alexander. Anyone fortunate enough to attend their wedding knows that their intentional, joyful union was simply meant to be. Ben and Sarah were absolutely, perfectly right for each other.

Ben endured his trials with quiet strength and uncommon grace. It is impossible to describe fully the challenges Ben overcame in his battles with a disease that began when he was sixteen years old and that so wanted to defeat him. It has been said that beating cancer does not center around whether a person, in the end, survives. But, instead, beating cancer is about how you live your life while you are fighting for your life. Under that standard, there is no doubt Ben beat cancer.

It is not enough to say that Ben will be missed. There will be unfillable holes in our lives that will never go away. The respect, admiration, affection and love we have for Ben will always be with us.

Ben was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Rufus C. Barkley, Jr., his paternal grandfather, Burton R. Schools, and his uncle, Rufus C. Barkley III.

He is survived by his loving and adoring wife, Sarah; his parents, Nella and David Schools, his sisters, Susannah and Nella Gray Schools; grandmothers Nella Gray Barkley and Marion Newton Schools; uncles and aunts Miles and Neyse Barkley, Scott and Cindi Schools, and Stephen and Christy Schools; and seven cousins.

Ben’s earthly achievements are many. But, most importantly, he was a man of unwavering faith in God. He never questioned his faith even in the darkest times.

“He molds us so, in mysterious ways

To face a mighty plan

And I enter the waves clean and clear

A wholly humble man.” – Ben Schools

Ben was a lifelong member of St. Philip’s Church. Because it is closed for construction, a funeral service for Benjamin Robertson Schools will be held at The Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, 126 Coming St., Charleston, Monday, June 23rd, at 5:00pm. The family will greet friends after the service in the Parish Hall at the Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to St. Philip’s Church, 142 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401; or to the Coastal Conservation League, 131 Spring St., Charleston, SC 29403.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.