INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. -- Friends and family packed into an Indian Trail church Saturday afternoon, to say their final goodbyes to a courageous teen who touched many during his battle with cancer.

Brandon Elam, 16, lost that fight earlier this week. Toward the end the cancer took his strength, but not his spirit, and the community that rallied around him in life continues to support him and his family after his death.

Hundreds of his friends packed the First Baptist Church of Indian Trail. Many were brought to tears during a 15 minute slide-show of Brandon's life. His loved ones remember him for his big smile that spanned 'East Coast to West Coast', as his dad says.

Elam's Pastor said, while Brandon was only 65 pounds when he died, he was sure 63 1/2 pounds was heart.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hometown Heroes through hometownheroesonline.com or by mail to Hometown Heroes of Union County, North Carolina, P.O. Box 953, Monroe, N.C., 28111-0953, Attention: Donnie Dixon, President, In Honor of Brandon Elam. Donations can also be made to Levine Children's Hospital, C/O Carolinas Healthcare Foundation, P.O. Box 32861, Charlotte, N.C., 28232, In Honor of Brandon Elam.