Emily Russell Brandon, 31, resident of Seneca, SC, passed away June 3, 2022. She was born July 1, 1990 in Lenoir, NC, and is survived by her loving wife and best friend, Allyson Brandon. She is also survived by her adoring parents, John and Janice Hollar Russell; her sister, Angela McKinley; her nieces, Jasmine Peele and Lilli McKinley; and her fur-babies, Pretzel and Pixel Brandon. Her mother and father in-law, Robin Hoffman Brandon and Richard Brandon; her brother in-law, Kirk Brandon; and her best friends, Ashley Faircloth Elmore and Kevin Elmore, are also survivors. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, George and Mamie Hollar; her paternal grandparents, Hank and Hazel Russell Setzer; and her beloved golden retriever, Piper Russell.

Emily was a graduate of South Caldwell High School (’08), and earned a degree in Psychology from Western
Carolina University (’13). Hendersonville, NC was her adopted home, and she looked forward to starting a life there with her family before her unexpected passing. She loved dogs, kayaking, and adventuring with her wife in the mountains and beaches of NC. She cherished fishing trips with her father, and spending afternoons talking and laughing with her mother and niece. She never met a stranger, was quick-witted, and had a laugh that filled the entire room. She will be remembered for her loyal friendship, devotion to her family, and for being a beautiful
soul, inside and out, that was taken from us much too soon.

Her memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, June 18, 2022 at the Allan Farris Community Center, 220
South 14th St., Bessemer City, NC 28016. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to causes near and dear
to Emily’s heart, including the Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friend Ln, Asheville, NC 28806, www.ashevillehumane.org; and Oconee Humane Society, 1925 Sandifer Blvd, Seneca, SC 29678, www.oconeehumane.org.


i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear

no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
- e.e. cummings