Chris and Melissa Lee are both originally from Bertie County, NC; and grew up coming to the OBX. They have lived here for 8 years. Chris works for the NC Marine Patrol and Melissa is a registered nurse at Outer Banks Urgent Care. Their son, Sonny, was born in 2009. In the summer of 2013 they found out they were expecting again and their beloved Ella was born on March 14, 2014. Her full name was Bettie Elizabeth Lee; named in memory of Melissa’s mother. One night just nearly a month after her birth, Ella became very agitated and inconsolable. They brought her to the local ER but things went downhill quickly. They were flown to CHKD in Virginia where Ella was taken to surgery. Ella was born with her intestines not properly attached and had twisted three times. By the time they finally got into surgery, her entire small intestines had died. There was no saving her; no option of transplant; nothing they could do. Ella passed just after her one-month birthday on April 18, 2014. Little Noah Banks (nicknamed “Banks”) was born to the Lee family on June 16, 2015. He came 11 days early and in a hurry. “It was very bittersweet as we are sad to think about not having Ella with us but we are extremely grateful that the Lord chose to bless us with a beautiful, healthy baby boy!” says Melissa, “He has certainly helped bring some joy back into our lives; yet we will never forget our sweet Angel Ella.” Their oldest child, Sonny, is doing great and started kindergarten this fall at FFES. He absolutely loves it! He will be turning six on October 27th.