Rupert Eugene Drews

Rupert Eugene Drews, of James Island, SC, former football coach, renowned Lowcountry camellia enthusiast and husband of the late Elizabeth Sanders Drews entered into eternal rest on the morning of November 6, 2014. His Funeral Service will be held Monday, November 10, 2014 in James Island Presbyterian Church, 1632 Fort Johnson Road at 11:00 a.m. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel.

Rupie Drews was born on December 7, 1929 in Charleston, SC, son of the late Henry Leopold Drews and Helen Kuhne Drews. He attended the High School of Charleston and the University of South Carolina and was a star track and football athlete. In 1946 and 1947 Rupie won the 100 yard dash High School State Championship and in 1948 won the collegiate State Championship for the same event. As a Varsity athlete, he was a member of the Block C Club (Letterman's Club) at the University of South Carolina. After graduating from USC in 1952, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the medical corps during the Korean War. He received his master's degree from Appalachian State University. In 1954 Rupie became the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director of St. Johns Island High School and won the conference championship that same year. From 1955 to 1969, Rupie was the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director of James Island High School. He had over 100 wins, never had a losing season, and was selected Lowcountry Coach of the Year four times. In 1968 Rupie went undefeated, won the AAA State Football Championship and was selected AAA Coach of the Year. In addition to his football success, he was the first coach to bring soccer and wrestling to high school sports in South Carolina. From 1969-1985, Rupie served in Charleston County Schools as the Assistant Principal at Fort Johnson High School, the Principal of Riverland Terrace Elementary School and the Area Superintendent for School Districts 3 and 9.

Rupie retired in 1985 and dedicated his time to growing and showing prize winning camellias.As a camellia enthusiast, he developed a garden of over 700 camellias that represents one of the largest and most diverse private collections in the Lowcountry. He has registered 5 camellias with the American Camellia Society, Betty Drews, Elizabeth Tarrant, English Kuhne Drews, Rupie's Charleston, and Georgia National Fair, which won the Best National Seedling in 2002. He was a charter member of the Atlantic Coast Camellia Society and member of the Coastal Carolina Camellia Society, Gulf Coast Camellia Society, American Camellia Society, and International Camellia Society. In 2011, he was honored with an Award of Merit by the Coastal Camellia Society for his loyal service in developing new varieties of camellias and sharing his knowledge with members and the community.

Rupie never met a stranger and always wanted to know your name and where you were from. He was known for his devotion to his family, growth and development of his camellias, and love of college football. He was a true sportsman, a great coach and a devoted father.

He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Sanders Drews, his brothers Paul K. and Henry L. Drews.

Rupie is survived by two children, Beth Drews Morehead of Charleston, SC and English Kuhne Drews of Mt. Pleasant, SC; sons-in-law Scott Morehead and Stephen Giebner; granddaughter Elizabeth Wagner; grandson-in law, Kenny Wagner; and two great grandchildren, Jacob and Lilly Wagner.

Memorials may be made to the Coastal Carolina Camellia Society c/o Jerry Weise, 1507 Lorenzo Street, Mt. Pleasant SC 29464 or to James Island Presbyterian Church, 1632 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412.The family would like to thank and recognize the staff at Franke at Seaside Assisted Living facility for the care and support of Rupie over the last few years.