Audrey on Eryn’s walk with The Lord

Below is an article that one of my music students wrote for a school assignment. When asked if she could interview me for this assignment, I thought it would be for a music class or something like that. When I found out that music wasn’t the topic, I was absolutely honored that she thought of me for this assignment… Wow! Audrey may not be an official journalist with the press, but I think this is the nicest article anyone has written about me… ERYN

Eryn Eubanks is a famous musician who is well-known around the CSRA. She has been playing music since a very young age, and she displays her relationship with God through her music and talent. She has been teaching me music since I was young, and she has inspired me in my walk with Christ as well. She loves the Lord; her story and testimony has inspired me, and I hope it will inspire many others that hear it.

Eryn has been a Christian pretty much her whole life. She isn’t sure what age she was saved, but it was quite young. However, she remembers to this day, the first time she went to church. Sunday, April 24, 1988 was her first time going to church, and she was only ten days old. Her grandparents were the ones to take her, and they raised her in the church. They always took her to church every Sunday, because her parents were busy working most of the time. She always knew what salvation was, and she knew that Jesus was always with her. She has sensed God’s providence play throughout her whole life, in every aspect. From being born to a wonderful family, to her amazing church experiences, and by her bad situations turning into good ones, God’s providence has always made a way for her. She says that when any concert she does goes well, that is because of God, and otherwise, she can’t do anything without him.

Eryn always tries to spend time with God throughout the day. She goes by the saying “Pray without ceasing”. She always tries to glorify God through everything she does. She makes time to read devotionals and daily Bible passages, and she sings gospel songs anytime she gets the chance. She also enjoys mediating on scripture throughout the day, and falling asleep to the Christian radio station at night. Eryn also establishes God honoring priorities through all she does. She makes sure she goes by his word in all choices she makes. She still gets overwhelmed sometimes, but keeps going for God’s glory.

Eryn has two Scripture passages that have always meant a great deal to her. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This verse helped her get through her open heart surgery. She found out she had to have the surgery on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Her mom and dad ordered her flowers with that verse on a card during that time, and later that day, her husband gave her that exact same verse. The verse came to her one more time during the day, and this verse helped her get through this hard time. She saw it as a promise from God, and that promise was fulfilled with a successful surgery. Eryn also loves Phillipians 1:6, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This verse has helped her during her life right now, because her mom is having some health issues. It has also inspired her in her music career.

God has impacted her life in so many incredible ways. Just by the way he orchestrated her life, her rescue from death with her open heart surgery, and the Lord rescuing her dad from a deadly case of pneumonia when she was only eight years old. God had preserved her and her families life all these years, and he still does. She has many eye opening experiences which moved her close to God, including her surgery and when she broke her leg and couldn’t walk for six months. The Holy Spirit taught her how to keep a positive attitude during all situations. She hasn’t had any challenges with non-believers because she is a Christian. She had been very fortunate. Most people know that she is a Christian, but those who don’t believe have never given her a problem, which she considers to be a blessing.

Eryn’s walk with God and her career and life in music have brought many relationships into her life. During her homeschool experience, she got to build her relationship with God and her grandparents. She also got to meet her lady friends and her husband. Because public school was so bad, homeschool opened doors for her that have led to where and who she is today. When she was asked what advice she would give to a young person who wants to serve the Lord, she said that you should always stay close to him. Pray and give your heart to him on a daily basis. Make sure to know and study your Bible, and do your best to find people who teach the Bible properly. Serve the Lord in all you do and bring glory to him. Use your gifts, no matter what they are, to glorify him.

Eryn Eubanks’ life and testimony pulled at my heart strings and really helped me learn what a real relationship with the Lord looks like. She lives her life for him, and never gives up even in the hardest of situations. She has inspired me and helped me get where I am today in my music career and walk with Christ. She sees the world through God’s eyes and loves the Lord with all her heart. When she walks into the room, you can just feel the presence of God radiating off of her. She always has a smile on her face no matter the situation, because she knows God is always there, and I aspire to be just like her, and live for God in everything I do.

-Audrey Barefield (May 14, 2022)

Ramblin' Rhodes: Goodbye to Precious Jewell.

Somehow in the busy start of this summer I missed the obituary of a wonderful friend named James Edward “Jim” Jewell of Grovetown, who died June 19. He would have been 90 on Sept. 8.

Customers knew him for 30 years as the owner of Jim’s Lawn Service, but thousands of music fans in the Augusta area knew him better for his uncountable appearances playing guitar for many years with Eryn Eubanks’ Family Fold band.

He and guitarist Mike Merritt came to be known as adopted members of the Eubanks family, performing with Eryn, Patrick and Ricie Eubanks on canal boat cruises and at music festivals, schools, churches and area restaurants and nightclubs.

There was no mistaking Jewell’s unmistakable voice singing classic numbers like “Just Because,” “Nobody’s Darlin’ But Mine” and “I Overlooked An Orchid (While Searching For a Rose)” and for his kind nature which prompted the nickname “Precious Jewell.”

John Doren of Martinez, Ga., said it well on the legacy.com site in noting, “The loss of Mr. Jewell is a loss for all of us. He was a good and decent man and an inspiration to all who met him. It was an honor to play guitar with and learn from him, an authentic and honest musical voice. In his singing and playing, he could define a song. When he performed, there was a depth and directness that seemed to convey exactly what the author of a song intended. His encyclopedic knowledge of several musical genres was a continual wonder and delight.”

--- Don Rhodes of The Augusta Chronicle

Thursday, July 20th, 2017.

In Loving Memory of The Family Fold's Jim "Precious" Jewell

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Mr. James Edward Jewell, "Precious Jewell," entered into rest on Monday, June 19, 2017.

Mr. Jewell was a member of Bible Deliverance Temple. He was a member of the Eryn Eubanks & The Family Fold band. He enjoyed gospel music, bluegrass music, and fishing. Mr. Jewell owned Jim's Lawn Service for 30 years in Augusta, GA.

Mr. Jewell is preceded in death by his siblings: Eugene Bryant, Bobby Copeland, Henry Copeland and Melvin Copeland. Survivors are his children, Nicky Jewell (Debbie), Carl Jewell, Gail Brown, Melinda Mansfield and step-daughter, Martha German; siblings, Eunice Dicky, Brenda Tyson, George Copeland and Marcus Copeland; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 pm, Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Bible Deliverance Temple with Dr. Kelly McKnight, Pastor Charlotte Ginn, and Pastor Eryn Eubanks Miller officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior at the church. Pallbearers who will honor Mr. Jewell are Brian Jewell, Tyler Jewell, Lonnie Sevier, Leon Dickey, Frank Carstarphen, and Buddy King. Honorary pallbearers are Patrick Eubanks, Greg Miller, James Pounds, John Wilson, Mike Merritt, Don Duarte, and John Doren. The family would like to thank Mr. Jewell's amazing grandson, Christopher Brown, for taking care of his Pops and Regency Hospice for all of their support and compassion.

- Published in The Augusta Chronicle on June 21st, 2017.

Eryn's 29th Birthday

Help celebrate local music star Eryn Eubanks' 29th birthday from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 22 at St. Luke's Church, 3081 Wheeler Road, in Augusta.

It's free and there will be lots of bluegrass, folk, and country music jamming by Eubanks and her Family Fold band as well as anyone else who wants to join in playing.

The heavily popular and ultra-sweet artist who plays about 15 instruments (not all at the same time, of course) also can be heard 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 28, at SouthBound Smokehouse, 1855 Central Avenue, in Augusta.

- Don Rhodes of The Augusta Chronicle

April 20th, 2017

Augusta Magazine’s Bluegrass & Christian Bands

BLUEGRASS BAND... Readers sent Delta Cane off into the sunset with a gold medal to tell the grandkids about in their golden years.  Thanks for the memories.  Meanwhile, Eryn Eubanks & The Family Fold - of silver medal fame - is still kickin’ it, while Doug & The Henrys get third.

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN BAND... “Christian” as in “incorporating gospel themes into the act.”  “Contemporary” as in “plugging amplifiers into electric wall sockets, recording digitally, and what have you.”  By that definition (loosely), readers chose Funmilayo Ngozi.  She is a force of nature, trust us.  When Ryan Abel gets religious on us, it can send a chill down your spine.  And finally, Eryn Eubanks & The Family Fold round out this trinity.

- The Augusta Magazine's "Best of Augusta"

October 6th, 2016