04/22/2026
Let us all say a prayer for Pam Critchfield and her family is they mourn the loss of Pam’s mother. 
At the age of 98, Kathleen “Katchie” Brannon passed away April 16, 2026, at Maplewood Healthcare Center.
Born July 22, 1927, in Shinnston, WV, Kathleen was the daughter of the late Albert Hurst Sr. and Lettie Koon Hurst.
Kathleen and her husband Charles E. Brannon were married for 74 years and made their home in Clarksburg. Charlie preceded her in death on December 29, 2017.
She was the beloved mother of Timothy Robert Brannon and his late wife Linda of Clarksburg and Pamela Kay Brannon Critchfield and her husband Chuck of Morgantown. Kathleen was “Grandma” to five grandchildren: Timothy Scott Brannon (Norma), Aimee Danielle Williams (Chris), Jeremy Ryan Brannon (Lacy Bolyard), Leslie Kathleen “Katie” Critchfield Mehle (Jesse), Charles Nathaniel “Nate” Critchfield, and seven great grandchildren: Charles Samuel Brannon, Timothy Andrew Brannon (Zera Miller), Trey Michael Zontek, Jonah Christopher Williams (Alexandra Birkett), Kolby Taylor Williams, Jackson Charles Mehle, and Kathleen Marie Mehle.
She was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers: Belva M. Slusser, Mary Lee Hursey, Albert Hurst Jr., all of Shinnston, Phyllis Colarusso of Fairview Park, OH, and Ronald E. Minor of Bedford, OH.
Katchie was a devoted wife and mother whose life was rooted in care, creativity, and hard work. She found joy in quilting, sewing, baking, and cooking for those she loved. She was also a right-hand “man” to her husband Charlie, working alongside him as he built homes, always painting, patching, staining, or even doing masonry work. Never one to sit still, Katchie was always mending, repurposing, or creating. Her quilts warm the beds of those she loved, and her recipe cards remain in their kitchen cabinets. She passed down her many skills to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, leaving a legacy of traditions and talents that will continue for generations.
A member of First United Methodist Church in Clarksburg, Kathleen enjoyed baking her famous raisin filled cookies for the fall bazaar for many years. Her cookies were always sold out!
Kathleen spent the last 16 months of her life at Maplewood where the nurses and staff provided a kind and caring environment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Kathleen to Special Olympics West Virginia, 3055 Mount Vernon Road, Hurricane, WV 25526, or the Harrison County Humane Society, 2450 Saltwell Road, Shinnston, WV 26431.
A graveside service and interment will take place at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 12 noon at First United Methodist Church in Clarksburg, with Rev. Michael Atkinson officiating. A time of gathering will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
