Willie Lynn Rodman Drews

Willie Lynn Rodman Drews, 92, of Rodman, South Carolina, died peacefully in her home on Friday, July 1, 2022, surrounded by her immediate family and pastor. Service and interment will be held at Fishing Creek Presbyterian Church on Saturday July 16, 2022, at Noon, with visitation beforehand at 11:00 AM. Reception will immediately follow on the front porch of the Log House she so loved. Willie lived a remarkable life defined by determination and grace. Born on Easter Sunday morning April 20, 1930, at her family’s home in Chester County, SC, Willie was the second of three sisters. During her childhood, her parents, William and Jessie Rodman, moved the family to Charleston in order for William to work at the shipyards. As a child of the Great Depression, Willie was famous in her family for saving items that she could use again, a skill that she has passed through the generations. When asked what she remembers from those years, it wasn't the hardship she talked about. Instead, it was her mother’s cooking, commenting on how she grew up eating fresh seafood, caught in the Charleston Harbor. Saving their rationing coupons for other important items, such as shoes. After WWII, Willie married her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, John Herman Drews in November of 1949. The couple had four children together, David, Gary, Nancy, and Judy. The couple moved from Charleston to Decatur, GA through Herman’s work with IBM. The couple spent many years traveling, entertaining grandchildren, restoring her family’s log house, and volunteering with their church, University Heights United Methodist Church. After Herman’s passing, Willie had one more surprise in store for her family. At the age of 86 she chose to move back to her roots in Chester County, SC. She spent her remaining years in her restored log house, dating from the 1780’s with family and friends often coming to visit and camp. Willie loved all things history and studied her ancestors' family tree for years. Her active role in the Daughters of the American Revolution would lead her to another project at Fishing Creek Presbyterian Church. While many would have said Willie should be slowing down, she had a calling to protect the enslaved section of the church’s cemetery and all those who fought for our freedoms. She also was an active participant in revitalizing the Rodman Community Center, a non-profit organization that helps to serve the local community. Her dedication and thoroughness have saved pieces of South Carolina history for us to remember and respect, and her kind heart has brought her community together. Living through the depression as a child, WWII as a young adult, and the Vietnam/Cold War as a mother, Willie was consistently determined to carry her family through all while maintaining her dignity and grace. She believed strongly that lessons of the past have a place in this modern world and that with extra grit, boundless love, and compassion, we can all create a kinder world. She is preceded in death by her faithful husband John Herman Drews, parents William and Jessie Millen Rodman, sister Jessie Rodman Busick, daughter Judy Marek, daughter-in-law Maria Drews, and her grandchild Cory Drews. She is survived by her sister Hamilton Rodman Kanellos, sons David Drews, Gary Drews and Donna, daughter Nancy Evans and Lovick, and son-in-law Todd Marek. Grandchildren Rodman Drews and Laurice, Julia Aland and Patrick, Brian Drews and Iza, Katherine Evans, Rachel Evans, Christopher Marek, and Ruthie Marek. Great-grandchildren Braylen, Ella, and Charlotte Drews, and Collins and Hadley Aland. Along with many loved nieces and nephews. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, to please send any memorials to the Fishing Creek Presbyterian Church with a memo line of Willie/Enslaved Persons Cemetery Maintenance, or to the Rodman Community Center. Memorials may also be sent by mail to the following addresses Fishing Creek Presbyterian 3087 Fishing Creek Church Road Chester, SC 29706 Rodman Community Center Attn: Kathy Gindhart 1238 Pembrooke Drive Charleston, SC 29407. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.