James A. "Jim" Eanes

James A. "Jim" Eanes, 86, beloved husband of Jewell Perkins Eanes, passed away Friday evening, January 5, 2024 at Aiken Regional Medical Center.

A native of Stotesbury, WV, Jim was a son of the late Walter Golen and Daffy Elizabeth Hill Eanes.  Jim grew up in Raleigh County, WV, graduating from Sophia H.S. in 1955.  Immediately after graduation, Jim entered the military service, serving as Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-1959.  After honorable discharge from the Air Force, Jim married his beloved companion Jewell Perkins at Sophia UMC on January 31, 1959.  

While working as Director of Student Affairs at WV Tech, Jim earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from WV Institute of Technology (now WVU).  Jim went on to earn a Master's Degree in Education from Marshall University.  Additionally, Jim took doctoral courses at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.  

Jim and Jewell moved their now family of four (Melody and Kim) to Iowa City, IA in 1966 as Jim assumed the role of Director of General Services at The American College Testing Company.  Seven years later Jim and Jewell moved to Deerfield, IL and Jim took on the position of Director of Student Loans and Grants at the Illinois State Scholarship Commission.  In 1979 Jim returned to the American College Testing Program as Director of Midwest Region and the family moved to East Lansing, MI.  Four years later Jim and Jewell transferred back to Lincolnshire, IL as Jim was named Assistant Vice President of ACT's Midwest Region.  Jim retired in 2000.

Jim and Jewell moved to the Cedar Creek Community of Aiken in 2001.  He was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church, serving as a delegate to the SC UMC Annual Conference.  He was a volunteer with the Aiken County Historical Society and the Aiken Regional Hospital, where he always shared a warm smile and a friendly hello from behind the counter at the ARMC gift shop!  Jim was also a lifelong member of Optimist International.

Jim was an avid sports fan (Go Big Ten, go St. Louis Cardinals, go Green Bay Packers!)  He thrived in always planning "the next travel adventure" with his beloved wife, Jewell.  He was a caring and responsible and available father to his two daughters.  And Jim never tired of kisses and cuddles from his 13 year old canine companion, Cinnamon. He loved sharing in conversation and exchanging text messages with his grandchildren.  And Jim was consistently awed by his beautiful great grand daughter, "the Murph".  He was a devoted family member who valued his continuing connections with his "WV roots" family.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of almost 65 years, Jewell, include two daughters, Melody Beth Glasing (Scott), Simpsonville, SC, the Rev. Lisa Kim Eanes, Aiken; three grandchildren, Trent James Glasing, Marietta, Ga, Lyndsey Jewell Corley, Charlotte, NC, Reid Robert Glasing, Marietta, GA; his great granddaughter, Murphy Lynn Corley, Charlotte, NC.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Brian K. Byers and five siblings, Jerry Eanes, Kerry Eanes, Helen Weaver, Betty Angell and Robert Eanes.

A memorial service will be held Saturday afternoon, January 20th at 2 o’clock 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 the church’s narthex following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741 or AKC Canine Health Foundation, 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27617

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