Cullowhee United Methodist Church

09/06/2026

What a blessing it was to see just how many people love Brannan and the Claxton family. The overwhelming outpour of support from the community was a beautiful testament to his memory. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating and honoring his life. Your presence, prayers, and support mean so much to the Claxton family.
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We would like to sincerely apologize for the technical difficulties during the livestream caused by internet issues at the church. A full recording of the service is now available to watch.

https://youtu.be/8R9W3Dwqy9c?is=8hWGMtISHKKAsOoT

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

Thank you to the Jarrett House for hosting us for B**r and Hymns and to Tasha Youstin Nielsen and Billy T. Ogletree for leading us in song and sharing your musical talents. What best captured the feeling of B**r and Hymns was a closing prayer offered by Tasha that we wanted to share:

“Dear God, thank you so much for giving us this beautiful evening in this beautiful place to come together and lift our voices in song to you. After a week that has been filled with such heartbreak and loss and sorrow, thank you Lord for reminding us that you are here and that you will never leave us. Fill us with your hope and love, so that we may share it with the world around us. Amen”

09/01/2026

Celebrating the Life of Brannan Claxton
Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Cullowhee United Methodist Church

Henry Brannan Claxton, known to all as Brannan, came into this world on July 13, 2000 in Harris Regional Hospital to Mae and David Claxton and his loving sisters, Kelli Jo Claxton and Bonnie Claxton. He attended Jackson County schools and the North Carolina School of Science and Math. He was an Eagle Scout and proud member of Troop 914. For his Eagle Scout Project, he built five benches for the Cullowhee Community Garden, which are still in use. In 2021, he completed half of the Appalachian Trail, walking from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to the Southern Terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia. In 2022, Brannan graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Computer Science. In 2023, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and fell in love with that city. He died there on August 26, 2026 after a brief illness.

Brannan was loved by all who knew him. He was kind, loving, funny, and smart. Brannan was happiest outdoors and took every opportunity to hike, bike, camp, run, swim, or dance. In addition to his parents and sisters, he is loved and remembered by his beloved brother-in-law David Jons, nephews Malcolm and Virgil, grandmother Bobbye Miller, aunt and uncle Melody Miller Wilkes and Greg Wilkes, aunt and uncle Cathy and Bill Taylor, uncle Bill Claxton, and cousins Amanda, Casey, Zack, Stephen, Seth, and Sean. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Dorothy and Brannan Claxton and his grandfather Bo Miller. We continue to be so grateful for the loving community that nurtured and supported Brannan as he grew up and that continues to love and support us during this unimaginable loss. We cannot fathom going through this world without him.

A celebration of life and reception will be held on Sunday, September 6th at 2 p.m. at Cullowhee United Methodist Church, where he attended Cullowhee Kids Preschool and was active in youth groups. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Brannan’s memory by supporting Cullowhee Kids Preschool or the youth group’s Wilderness Trail summer adventures.

08/31/2026

08/26/2026

This past Saturday, we joined our friends at Zion Memorial for combined worship! It was the best way to spend a Saturday! 🎶🕊️

08/21/2026

The Perennials had a great time passing out ice cream to college students who passed by the Wesley bridge. Then, they went to Deep Creek for a picnic and a hike to the waterfall. It was a wonderful afternoon!

Our Perennial group is for anyone who can receive a free cup of coffee at McDonald (aka our senior adult ministry)! We go on an outing once a month and would love for anyone to join us who needs a place of support and belonging. Next month, we head to the Dillard house in Dillard, Georgia for lunch on Thursday, September 24th. Be sure to mark your calendars!

08/20/2026

Sunday was a fun day at church! We presented our 4th graders with their Bibles, celebrated calvin for all of his work he has done with the church, and our youth also had their fall kick-off pool party! What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday! ☀️

08/19/2026

Our children’s ministry, JOY kids, had their kick-off to fall semester this past Sunday with a pool party! We had a lot of fun splashing around and eating pizza! We are so grateful to friends from church who open their home and pool to us!

We hope children and their families will join us September 20th for our next JOY kids event from 12:30-2:30pm! Be sure to mark your calendars!