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On Friday, January 15th, Eric was involved in a minor motorcycle accident. He was taken to the hospital where the wound on his knee was cleaned and given three stitches; he was then sent home. By Saturday afternoon, Eric was in excruciating pain and taken to the ER. He underwent multiple diagnostic tests to determine the source of the pain, including CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds. He underwent emergency surgery to alleviate the pressure of swelling in his calf and was suspected to have necrotizing fasciitis, or a flesh-eating bacterial infection which is a severe disease of sudden onset that spreads rapidly and results in the death of parts of the body's soft tissue. It is an extremely rare infection and only around 1000 cases are reported annually in the US. It is utterly devastating news to receive since recovery is dependent upon prompt and aggressive measures.
Later on the 16th, Eric was airlifted to a hospital in Eugene, Oregon and the race against the clock began. The surgeons there amputated the affected leg and a portion of his side in an effort to save his life. The following morning, they did a CT of his abdomen and the infection had aggressively spread into his abdominal cavity. At that point, the surgeons were out of viable options, medically or surgically. Eric's wife, Chiffaun (Faun), rarely left his side and was there holding his hand when he woke from the surgery. How do you tell the love of your life he has less than a week to live? How do you process that news yourself? On the 20th, they moved Eric to hospice where he peacefully joined the great cloud of witnesses at 1:30am on January 26th.
Eric was a wonderful husband to Chiffaun and the father to their two daughters, Airabella, age two years and Aloysia, born this past December 18th. He shared custody of his three children, from a former marriage: Grace (17), Ava (12), and Sawyer (10). He was the sole provider for Chiffaun and their two little girls.
Eric was kind, funny, and hard-working. He worked with his hands and supported his community however he could. He coached soccer, loved having a craft beer and cuddling with his wife, and used his incredible skill as a contractor to help those in need. Eric worked for the Cow Creek Tribe and also at Lowe's to provide for his family. He was well-beloved and we are all so lucky to have known him. Eric spent his childhood in Crossville, TN. Many will fondly remember him appearing in numerous productions at the Cumberland County Playhouse with his adoring mother, Patty Payne, and his grandmother, Alice Payne.
Chiffaun, who is known for her sacrificial love and generous caring spirit, and the kids are going to need as much love and support as possible in this challenging season. Many people have asked how they can help and this fundraiser has been established by Eric and Chiffaun's friends and family as a convenient way to provide assistance. The team involved in setting up this fundraiser includes Christina Whitney and Ella Snyder (Eric's and Chiffaun's friends) as well as Shane Maxwell, Kristin Maxwell, Tony Maxwell, and Pamela Maxwell (Chiffaun's family).
Your gift goes directly from GoFundMe to Chiffaun's bank account and will help offset medical bills and moving expenses to relocate Chiffaun, Airabella, and Aloysia to be closer to the support of family. You gift will also help with other ongoing costs that do not disappear even during a devastating time. If we reach our $100,000 goal, we will allocate funds for Airabella's and Aloysia's higher educations as well.
Donations can also be sent to Chiffaun's Venmo account: @Faun-Eric.
We so appreciate everyone's prayers and love. They are a huge blessing and have carried us through this time. We ask that you continue to pray for wisdom, direction, and healing of hearts for Faun and for Eric's children.
Eric and Faun
Eric's children in Fall 2019— Grace, Ava, Sawyer, and Airabella
Eric, Faun, Sawyer, Ava, and Grace in Fall 2017
Eric, Airabella, and baby Aloysia in January 2021
Eric with his grandmother, Alice, and his mother, Patty
Eric and one of the soccer teams he coached
Later on the 16th, Eric was airlifted to a hospital in Eugene, Oregon and the race against the clock began. The surgeons there amputated the affected leg and a portion of his side in an effort to save his life. The following morning, they did a CT of his abdomen and the infection had aggressively spread into his abdominal cavity. At that point, the surgeons were out of viable options, medically or surgically. Eric's wife, Chiffaun (Faun), rarely left his side and was there holding his hand when he woke from the surgery. How do you tell the love of your life he has less than a week to live? How do you process that news yourself? On the 20th, they moved Eric to hospice where he peacefully joined the great cloud of witnesses at 1:30am on January 26th.
Eric was a wonderful husband to Chiffaun and the father to their two daughters, Airabella, age two years and Aloysia, born this past December 18th. He shared custody of his three children, from a former marriage: Grace (17), Ava (12), and Sawyer (10). He was the sole provider for Chiffaun and their two little girls.
Eric was kind, funny, and hard-working. He worked with his hands and supported his community however he could. He coached soccer, loved having a craft beer and cuddling with his wife, and used his incredible skill as a contractor to help those in need. Eric worked for the Cow Creek Tribe and also at Lowe's to provide for his family. He was well-beloved and we are all so lucky to have known him. Eric spent his childhood in Crossville, TN. Many will fondly remember him appearing in numerous productions at the Cumberland County Playhouse with his adoring mother, Patty Payne, and his grandmother, Alice Payne.
Chiffaun, who is known for her sacrificial love and generous caring spirit, and the kids are going to need as much love and support as possible in this challenging season. Many people have asked how they can help and this fundraiser has been established by Eric and Chiffaun's friends and family as a convenient way to provide assistance. The team involved in setting up this fundraiser includes Christina Whitney and Ella Snyder (Eric's and Chiffaun's friends) as well as Shane Maxwell, Kristin Maxwell, Tony Maxwell, and Pamela Maxwell (Chiffaun's family).
Your gift goes directly from GoFundMe to Chiffaun's bank account and will help offset medical bills and moving expenses to relocate Chiffaun, Airabella, and Aloysia to be closer to the support of family. You gift will also help with other ongoing costs that do not disappear even during a devastating time. If we reach our $100,000 goal, we will allocate funds for Airabella's and Aloysia's higher educations as well.
Donations can also be sent to Chiffaun's Venmo account: @Faun-Eric.
We so appreciate everyone's prayers and love. They are a huge blessing and have carried us through this time. We ask that you continue to pray for wisdom, direction, and healing of hearts for Faun and for Eric's children.
Eric and FaunEric's children in Fall 2019— Grace, Ava, Sawyer, and AirabellaEric, Faun, Sawyer, Ava, and Grace in Fall 2017Eric, Airabella, and baby Aloysia in January 2021Eric with his grandmother, Alice, and his mother, Patty Eric and one of the soccer teams he coachedFundraising team4
Chiffaun Payne
Beneficiary