Brittney Leigh Scott-Henderson passed away at 12:08 p.m. on January 6, 2017, at Lutheran Hospital after a hard-fought battle with addiction. Addiction is not where her story began, though, and it is not where it will end. In her father’s words, “Brit now has peace and comfort, and her demons died with her. I don’t think she was ever going to escape them. They haunted her and the demons impacted all those who loved her. She has a wonderful spirit and we got to know that Brittney. Her peace and comfort now can allow us to not worry about her anymore, to not be angry with her for decisions anymore. We can rejoice in that she did get rid of her demons. In a way, she is protecting everyone who loved her and everyone she loved. This is all so hard on us. All the ‘what-ifs’, ‘what could we have done?’, ‘only if I would have done this’, etc., can weigh heavy on us. Let’s celebrate the sister, daughter, friend, and mother. Let’s cherish the Disney-loving Scott girl who loved Donald Duck. She left a legacy in Mckynleigh and Kingzley, and let’s make sure they always know who their mommy truly was, not the demons that took her over, but the One Who, in the end, destroyed them.”
Brittney was born on April 6, 1986, to Jeff Scott and Laurel (Scott) Gabbard. She attended Lakeview Christian School and graduated from Mississinewa High School. She married Dave Henderson in 2012, and he survives. She was an animal lover and those who knew her speak of her compassion and contagious laugh, as well as her sense of humor. She brought smiles and laughter everywhere she went. Brittney loved Disney, mushroom hunting, and, most of all, she loved her family. She worked in home health care, did farm jobs for local farmers, and also worked for Brunswick Boats. Brittney was always known as a very hard worker and no job was too hard or too dirty for her to help her family. She spent several months at Hope House in Fort Wayne which assisted her in her attempt at recovery and allowed her to make many great friends who encouraged her in her battle.
Her Grandpa Jerry Barton and Grandma “Nan” Hazel Scott preceded her in death. She is survived by her two children, Kingzley and Mckynleigh Henderson; two step-children, Tyler Henderson and Katie Brandle; mother, Laurel (Mitch) Gabbard; father, Jeff (Melissa) Scott; step-mother, Trisha Scott; grandparents, Loretta (Leo) Rutledge and David Scott; and siblings, Brandon (Alysha) Scott, Courtlynd Scott, Kiley Scott, Amy Gabbard, and Scott (Courtney) Gabbard. Brittney has several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are too many to name. Because of her loving, compassionate nature, she is also survived by many friends who were like family to her and are also too numerous to mention.
A memorial service for Brittney will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at New Hope Baptist Church, 800 E. S. “C” St., Gas City, with Pastor Terry Bishir officiating. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m.
Donations may be sent to Hope House in Fort Wayne which assisted Brittney in achieving eight months of freedom from her addiction. Our family is forever grateful to this organization for helping us have her back even for a short time. We want every person struggling with addiction who may be reading to know that it is never too late for Hope. Their phone number is 260-424-3711.
Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.