Michael Scott Breakfield, a resident of Florence, passed from this life on April 15, 2024 as a result of an automobile accident. Elkins Funeral Home assisted the family with the final arrangements. The visitation and the memorial celebration of Scott’s life were held on May 11, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church of Florence. Rev. Dr. Callie Plunket-Brewton, Rector; Rev. Dr. Jake Andrews, Associate Rector; and Pastor Chad Mackey of the Downtown Vineyard Community Church of Florence, where Scott was a member, conducted the service. Mrs. Allison Mackey was a pianist and vocalist.
Scott’s mother, Carolyn DeVaughn Breakfield, and his aunt Antoine DeVaughn, are residents of Florence. Hendersonville, TN is the home of Scott’s father, William Dalton Breakfield, his brother, Jason Breakfield, and several nieces and nephews. His sister, Kelley McGranaghan, lives in FL. He also leaves many cousins who are MS residents. Deceased loved ones include stepmother, Carolyn “Honey” Breakfield; grandparents, Lloyd Herchel and Alline DeVaughn; and Lealon and Labonne Breakfield; other deceased relatives include uncle, John Richard DeVaughn, aunt, Jean Wharton; and first cousin, Tim Wharton.
Scott graduated from high school in Clovis California, and was on the swim and diving teams, the water polo team, as well as the cross-country ski team. He frequented the ski lodges in that area of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and did snow skiing forever-after part of his life. Scott grew up boating and fishing with his grandfather on the Tennessee River and Shoals Creek, and he later learned to love many other outdoor sports such as tennis, kayaking and water skiing. He always loved the great outdoors and the feeling of adventure it gave him.
Scott grew up with cats and dogs, loving each one dearly, just as he did the three fur-babies he left behind. These kitties were Sophie, Chanel, and Louie. Thankfully, the Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter found adoptive homes for each one, mainly due to the intervention of the shelter volunteer, Shari Matthews.
Scott had many talents, the greatest of which was making friends. He loved cooking and entertaining. He was a gifted stained-glass artist known primarily for designing and producing kaleidoscopes, many of which grace numerous local homes. He was a gifted creative writer and public speaker. He loved all types of music, particularly the local Muscle Shoals Sound.
Scott completed his education with his graduation from Northwest Shoals Community College where he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Scott was employed for the last ten years at ICS Roofing and Construction Inc. where he was a Project Manager and Insurance Claims Specialist. He both loved and appreciated his job and the customers he met over the years.
The needs of the community were a top priority of Scott’s, and he was known for providing food for the needy as well as visiting residents of nursing homes. He also stepped in to help the American Red Cross feed and otherwise assist the residents of Courtview Towers when they were burned out of their apartments in 2023. His other favorite charities were St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Florence-Lauderdale County Animal Shelter. A few years ago, he donated a motorcycle to the McFarland Park Fund Drive for St. Jude which netted $16,000 profit for the cause.
Scott accepted Jesus as his personal savior when he was a young boy, and despite the problems and cares of this life he clung fast to his faith to the end. He and his mother enjoyed discussing Bible passages, and one of their last conversations was about the work of the Holy Trinity in the world and the power and powerful results of that work. To adopt a quote from Pastor Kiki Woods-Terry from her Courier Journal article of June 25, 2025, Scott was one of those who “laughed easily, believed in goodness, and held on to wonder even when things didn’t go as planned.” Scott’s family will forever be thankful for the loving and giving man he grew to be. We thank all those who expressed their grief at his loss and those who have provided on-going support to us.
The hymn, “He Will Hold Me Fast”, based on Hebrews 10:19-25, offers a glimpse of Scott’s final testimony, faith, and destiny. Many artists can be found on YouTube performing this hymn, and all are deeply moving.
