Lee Alex Breeland Jr.

Lee Alex Breeland, Jr. departed this earthly life to meet his Savior on the morning of April 26, 2024.

Lee was born on August 26, 1931, in Arcola, MS, the youngest of the six children of Lee and Kate Russell Breeland.

Lee contracted rheumatic fever while in high school in Isola, MS. He was unable to participate in sports, but ever the hard worker, he had many after school jobs. He chopped and handpicked cotton and was an excellent fisherman, often selling his catch to help provide for his family.

He also perfected peach brandy which he sold secretly to friends and neighbors.
He attended the University of Mississippi, but his education was interrupted by the Korean War draft. He was stationed in England where he helped build an airport, and while there he witnessed the coronation of Queen Elizabeth.

Upon his return, he went to work at Gregory Funeral Home in Yazoo City. Realizing a call to assist those in their time of greatest need, he enrolled in the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Upon graduation, at the age of 27, he purchased the Canton Undertaking Company, which he remodeled and opened as Breeland Funeral Home on January 22, 1959. In October of that same year, he met the love of his life at the Lion's Club chicken noodle dinner. Not one to waste any time, he married Patricia Carwile on December 27, 1959. They recently celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary.

Over the next six years, Lee and Patricia welcomed three children, Donna, Alex, and Kathryn. In 1967, Lee opened a second business in Jackson and moved his family next door to the establishment where they lived for the next 30 years. Lee and Patricia then moved back to Madison County where he continued to work at the funeral home in Canton until his retirement in 2020.

Lee was very involved in his church, serving as a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Canton, and then as an elder at Central Presbyterian Church in Jackson until its closure in 1993. Lee and Patricia were then welcomed into the fellowship of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. He was also involved with Belhaven College, serving for many years on the Belhaven Board of Trustees. He was also an active member of the Board of the American Funeral Association.

One of his favorite activities was managing his stock accounts. He gave sage advice to his children and grandchildren about the market. He continued to enjoy fishing until late in life, and was also an avid gardener, maintaining his large yard himself until the age of 90. One could often find him motoring about his yard on his favorite lawn mower. He loved big toys and for several years operated his own Caterpillar Bulldozer at his farm.

We are all very grateful for the many acts of kindness and prayers from our friends and also from the Briarwood Church community. The family would like to thank his many caregivers who assisted us in allowing him to remain home through this very difficult past 16 months.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Breeland; his three children, Dr. Donna Breeland Trussell (Hugh), Lee Alex Breeland, III (Sheila), Kathryn Grace Breeland; six grandchildren, Ashley Breeland Ward (Drew), Lee Alex Breeland, IV (Eden), Laurel Breeland Callahan (Ethan), David, Daniel, and Cameron Lee Trussell; and two precious great-grandchildren, Finley Breeland and Sutton Ward.
Lee Breeland personified hard work and was a big believer in "if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." We rejoice that he is now finally at rest. 

Visitation will be at Breeland Funeral Home on Monday April 29, 2024 from 5 until 7 P.M. Visitation will also be at Briarwood Presbyterian Church Tuesday April 30, 2024 from 10 A.M. until the 11 A.M. funeral service. Burial will be in the Canton Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 620 Briarwood Drive, Jackson, MS 39211 or to Belhaven University, 1500 PeachtreeStreet, Jackson, MS 39202.

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