Jewell Perkins Eanes

     JEWELL PERKINS EANES, 85, widow of James A. "Jim" Eanes, passed away Thursday morning, April 25, 2024 at Barclay House of Aiken.

     A native of East Rainelle, WV, Jewell was a daughter of the late Rev. J. Elbert and Lena Witt Perkins.  Living the life of a "preacher's kid" alongside her older and younger brothers, Jewell graduated from Sophia High School in 1956 and  began her post-secondary education at Beckley College.

     After waiting on her "beloved Jim" to be discharged from the United States Air Force, Jewell and Jim married on January 31, 1959 with her father, the Rev. J. Elbert Perkins officiating.

     After moving their family from West Virginia to Iowa and then on to the northern suburbs of Chicago, Jewell devoted her life to supporting her husband and raising her young family (daughters Melody and Kim).  Jewell also spent time serving her family of faith and her community, as a member of several committees at her United Methodist church and as a Brownie/Girl Scout Troop Leader.

     In 1975 Jewell returned to the workforce as Executive Secretary for District 108, Highland Park, IL.  Several years later and after another family move to Michigan, Jewell took on the position of Office Coordinator for the American College Testing Program in East Lansing, MI.  Following yet another move back to the Chicagoland area, Jewell began her work as Office Manager for the American College Testing Program in Lincolnshire, IL.  It was at that time that Jewell made the decision to go back to school to earn her college degree - a Bachelor of Arts degree from the National College of Education, Evanston, IL.  Jewell's final employment position prior to her retirement in 2000 was as Coordinator of Alumni Affairs at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL.  

     Jewell and Jim moved to the Cedar Creek community of Aiken in 2001.  Jewell was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church, serving as a delegate to the SC UMC Annual Conference.  Jewell was a member of the Aiken Newcomer's Association and the Red Hatter's, along with serving as committed volunteer for the Aiken Regional Medical Center, where she always shared a warm smile and an encouraging spirit with so many individuals who came there to be interviewed for volunteer service.  

     Jewell reveled in her social and community activities, always one to "plan and/or attend" the next gathering!  She loved spending time outdoors, walking her beloved miniature schnauzer Cinnamon, watching the many broods of bluebirds which created new families in her backyard boxes, and strolling along the lovely bricked walkways at beautiful Hopeland Gardens.  Jewell had a gift for creative writing and was always willing to compose an inspiring poem or ballad to be shared with family and friends in accompaniment with special celebrations over the years.  Above all, Jewell always strove to "look her best" and "be her best" for all others, no matter what the setting.  The family is abundantly grateful to all the staff at Barclay House for treating "Ms. Jewell" with such love and respect all the way up to the moment she took her last breath.

     Surviving are her two daughters, Melody Beth Glasing (Scott), Simpsonville, SC, the Rev. L. Kim Eanes, Aiken; three grandchildren, Trent James Glasing, Marietta, GA, Lyndsey Jewell Corley, Charlotte, NC, Reid Robert Glasing, Marietta, GA; her great granddaughter, Murphy Lynn Corley, Charlotte, NC, and a sister-in-law, Linda Perkins, Cocoa, FL.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Brian K. Byers and two brothers, Merrold Perkins and Lowell Perkins.

     A memorial service will be held Saturday afternoon, May 4th at 2pm at St. John's United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Dr. W. Timothy McClendon and Grayson "Butch" Blackwell officiating.  The family will greet friends at a reception in Ward Hall following the service.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the J. Elbert and Lena Perkins Scholarship Fund or the Jewell Perkins and James A. Eanes Scholarship Fund, both at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (https://give.garrett.edu/give/583128/#!/donation/checkout) 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201 or to Lutheran Homes of South Carolina (lutheranhomesscfoundation.org). 

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC