Eulie R Brannan

September 6, 1928 –November 28, 2024

Dr. Eulie Ross Brannan, 96, peacefully slipped away to “the land where we’ll never grow old” at home in Montgomery, Alabama on November 28, 2024. He is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia Randolph Brannan and his four children.

Dr. Brannan was born September 6, 1928 in Norwood, Ohio, the second child of Olin Hiram Brannan, Sr. and Bernice Beall Brannan. His parents preceded him in death as well as his three siblings: Olin Hiram Brannan, Jr., Donald Paul Brannan, Sr., and Julia Ann “Jan” Brannan Hilyer.

Dr. Brannan shared the first chapter of his adult life with his high school sweetheart, Merle Moore Brannan, until her passing in 1980. Together they raised a family of four children who now survive both parents: Stephen Earl Brannan, wife Brenda Dutton Brannan of Birmingham; Deborah Brannan Watkins, husband Patric “Pat” Watkins of Montgomery; Rebecca Brannan Hagen, husband John Hagen of Porto, Portugal; and Julie Ross Brannan of New York City. Dr. Brannan was preceded in death by Julie’s husband Douglas Williams.

Additional survivors include eight grandchildren: Lisa Renee Watkins (Montgomery), Carrie Watkins Mitchell (Rockville, MD), Brittney Brannan Rowlett (Rio Verde, AZ), Brian Ross Brannan (Las Vegas, NV), Leigh Brannan Clendenin (Franklin, TN), Elizabeth (Brannan-Williams) Ward (New York City), Katherine Brannan-Williams (NYC), and Meredith (Brannan-Williams) Himmelberg (NYC). Dr. Brannan leaves eight great-grandchildren: Blake Rowlett; Grace, Sophia, and Evelyn Mitchell; Heidi, Levi, and Samuel Clendenin; and Eleanor Ward.

Blessed with good health and a long life, Dr. Brannan shared subsequent chapters of his life with Wille Metta Strong Brannan until she preceded him in death, and later with Louise Bishop Brannan, who also preceded him in death. Dr. Brannan built strong bonds with their children and grandchildren. He is survived by stepchildren Marolyn Ingram, Clyde Whitworth, David Whitworth, Ernest “Ernie” Wright, and Dwight Wright as well as Virginia’s children, J. David Phillips, Paul Phillips, and Deniese Phillips. Dr. Brannan is survived by 19 step-grandchildren.

Education was always a key part of Dr. Brannan’s life and he instilled that love of learning in his children. He earned his Associate’s degree from Montgomery Bible College in 1947, his Bachelor’s degree from Huntingdon University in 1949, and a Master’s degree (Education, 1953), and Doctorate (Education, 1960) from Auburn University. He was a Visiting Professor on sabbatical at Mansfield College, Oxford University in 1981.

Dr Brannan taught and held administrative positions of increasing responsibility at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1973 he was named President and served in that capacity for eight years. He was the first minister at College Church of Christ in Montgomery (now University Church), and in a full circle moment, it became his home church again in his final two years of life. After moving to Birmingham he became the Administrator of Jefferson Christian Academy. Beginning in 1990 he was Special Assistant to the President at Faulkner for 14 years, and he served on the university’s Board of Trustees for 12 years. Dr. Brannan served many congregations as minister, his last post being Involvement Minister at Madison Church of Christ in northern Alabama. When he retired from the ministry at age 87 he began writing books and had five published. In April 2023 at Montgomery’s University Church, he preached his last sermon more than 80 years after he preached his first.

Dr. Brannan had a love for travel and visited many international destinations, including multiple countries in Europe and Africa. He particularly enjoyed his many trips to Israel, and riding a camel underneath the Great Pyramid of Giza. His last international trip was at the age of 86. A few months before his 95th birthday he traveled to New York City to attend the wedding of his granddaughter Meredith. He enjoyed watching college football games, fishing, singing, and listening to music - particularly old-time hymns, gospel songs, fiddle tunes like the Orange Blossom Special, and cowboy classics. Impressed as a boy that his grandfather got a professional shave and a haircut regularly when most men in rural Alabama did not, he developed a lifelong interest in impeccable grooming and sharp dressing.

Eulie Ross Brannan will be remembered as an educator, an orator, a writer, and a friend - but most of all as a devoted husband and father.

A public memorial service will be held on December 15 at University Church of Christ in Montgomery. The service will be at 3pm, with visitation at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donations in Dr. Brannan’s name to University Church of Christ, or to Faulkner University.