Harold C. Scott

1946 - 2026

Harold C. Scott

February 12, 2026

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina - Harold C. Scott was born on December 17, 1946, in Mitchell, GA, to Iris Mae Brooks-Ford and Essury Scott. The second of four children, he and his siblings were raised in Macon, GA. Harold graduated from the only high school in Macon for African Americans at that time, before Georgia public schools were integrated. After high school, Harold moved to Albany, NY, where he graduated from college with a Bachelor of Arts degree before settling in Detroit, Michigan.

Harold dedicated his life to service. He first served his country in the Army, on active duty in the Vietnam War, where he piloted planes. He was honorably discharged on April 7, 1972. After the Army, he returned to Detroit and joined the Detroit Police Department, serving and protecting the public for two decades as a police officer.

He welcomed his oldest child and only son, Harold Davon Waters, Ph.D. (born in 1973), from his previous relationship with Delores Jean Waters. And while on the Police Department, he met his beautiful wife of 39 years, Kaye (who he fondly referred to as "Katie Mae"). Harold and Kaye were married on January 2, 1977, less than 10 years after the landmark Supreme Court decision, Loving v. Virginia, which banned laws prohibiting interracial marriage. They rang in the new year with a party, as they were known to do. They later welcomed two daughters, Leslie Ellen Scott, J.D. (born in 1982), and Natalie Kaye Scott, J.D. (born in 1984).

A talented artist, Harold entertained his young daughters for days by free-hand sketching pictures of whatever they wanted. He endured (ahem, enjoyed) their countless living room performances, soccer games, and tennis tournaments. He bragged about his son, a math whiz and talented musician, to just about anybody who would listen. In the summertime, when he wasn't running marathons, Harold could be found on his back patio with family and friends, grilling chicken wings while listening to Motown on the Boombox. He was a loving husband, proud father, and devoted family-man.

Harold was also a man of God. Throughout his life, he was an active member of the United Methodist Church. Harold's faith was incredibly important to him; he found comfort in talking to God and reading the Bible.

In 1993, Harold retired from the Detroit Police Department as Inspector, the second highest ranking position. He and Kaye then settled in Ann Arbor, MI, with their daughters. In 1995, Harold earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Michigan. From there, he enjoyed a long and successful career as Director of Security for various companies and taught criminal justice-related college courses.

In 2007, Harold and Kaye retired to Hilton Head Island, SC, where they fell in love with the island's beauty and charm and made many wonderful friends. They maintained an active lifestyle in Hilton Head, playing tennis and golf, bike riding, dancing to Deas-Guyz at the Jazz Corner, and strolling along the Atlantic shoreline, sometimes spotting dolphins.

Harold passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026, in Savannah, GA, surrounded by his family. He was 79 years old. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Katie Mae, who passed away in 2016, and their mischievous pup Gonzo. He is also preceded in death by his mother Iris Mae Brooks-Ford, grandparents Rufus and Carrie Brooks, in-laws John and Betty Brockman, Davon's mother Delores Waters, and many extended family and friends. He regrettably leaves behind his three children, daughter-in-law Jessica (Leslie) Lewis-Sleet, and grandchildren Simone Kaye (8) and Sebastian Lewis (5) Scott-Sleet, who he adored. He is also survived by his sisters Estella (Ronald) Secrest and Vanessa (Ellis) Horton, brother Anthony (Rashanda) Ford, aunts Amy Engram and Gloria Hill, and a whole host of very special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. But his warm, generous, and easy-going spirit lives on, as do the memories of his laughter and quiet smile. Finally free from years of debilitating back pain, surely, he's enjoying a game of tennis with his dear Katie Mae right now, Gonzo chasing balls by their side.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10 am to 12 pm at The Island Funeral Home and Crematory with the funeral beginning at 12 pm.