Raylee Ellis

RayLee Zane Sebastian Ellis, son of Brandee Smith and Braxton Ellis, was born August 14, 2018, in Springfield, Missouri. He came into this world at only 23 weeks and 4 days, weighing 1 pound 6 ounces. He spent most of his journey in St. Louis, Missouri at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital NICU. There, he fought for 15 days, enduring much more than any child should. During his precious 18 days of life. RayLee moved the hearts of many around the world. He showed a courageous amount of strength and fought with everything he had.

He is loved by six sisters, Haylee, Khylie, Iaella, Raelyn, Infinity, and Enova, who couldn’t be more proud to have a baby brother. Six grandparents, Debbie Thomason, Zane and Carrie Begano, Jimmie and Kim Ellis, and Jesse Kane. Along with his family, RayLee is loved for his innocence and fight from state to state. Many have prayed and followed his story faithfully. His true warriors.

We believe there is a special place in Heaven where Titans, Gladiators, and Warriors go. Those that fight for a greater cause. The ones we idolize, respect, and love that taught us there is more out there to shoot for and believe in. We believe that’s where we will find RayLee when we are called home. He created hope. He created faith. He created memories and immeasurable amounts of love.

As RayLee fought, thousands of people prayed for him, cheered him on, and sent him gifts. They believed in him with such great strength you could feel when people spoke his name. As his biggest fans, we knew in our hearts he would be great. He would achieve and overcome everything stacked against him.

“RayLee Zane Sebastian, our little Gladiator, we believe in you and always will. Forever.”