BriAnna Atkins Lee

How do you sum up a life so radiant and full in just a few paragraphs? This is our attempt, but between these lines live countless other memories, moments, and stories that we will hold close forever.

Our beautiful BriAnna, lovingly called Nana by her family and Bri by her friends, was born on August 17, 1987, to Steve and Pat Atkins. She was the youngest of the “Three B’s,” joining her big sisters Bethany and Brittany. Her childhood was filled with joy and time together, loving her horses, forming the “Cool Christian Cowgirls Club” with her cousins Sarah Beth and Maggie, riding the golf cart, laughing with family, and soaking up love wherever she went.

One of the hardest parts of BriAnna’s story came at age 12, when she lost her daddy. That loss marked her deeply, and today we take comfort in knowing they’re together again.

BriAnna’s life was full of adventure. She traveled with family or friends whenever she could, went on mission trips to Spain and Africa, ran a marathon and several half marathons, barrel raced, worked at summer camp, was a vet tech, a teacher, and never missed a good Taylor Swift concert. In the middle of all that, she met her Scott on a ferry to Ocracoke. She was smitten with his blue eyes. They started dating in 2007, and even through the ups and downs, they always found their way back to each other. Last November, they were married on a snowy mountaintop in what turned into the most unforgettable wedding weekend, complete with a historic blizzard and a village of friends who pulled it off with love and laughter. They honeymooned in Switzerland, and loved every minute of getting to just be together with no distractions. BriAnna loved being married to her “Scoot”.

BriAnna was homeschooled, attended the Summit School, Wesleyan Christian Academy, and then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Appalachian State University. After college, it took BriAnna a little while to figure out what she wanted to do, but once she set her heart on PA school, nothing could stop her. She was accepted to MUSC, thrived there, made lifelong friends, and became a physician assistant. She found her work home at Novant Presbyterian Charlotte, working in cardio-thoracic surgery, where she loved both her coworkers and patients. With a background in art history, BriAnna had an incredible eye for beauty. It was especially meaningful when one of her surgeons described her as a “true artist.”

More than anything, BriAnna loved her people. She showed up for her friends and family with fierce loyalty and a heart full of grace. She was a connector, a cheerleader, and a safe place for so many. People were drawn to her, not just because she was stunning and full of life, but because she loved deeply and without hesitation. She was the reservation maker, she made the trips happen, and she never missed an opportunity to plan something exciting with her people. Her daddy used to say, “No one loves harder than BriAnna.” We know how true that is.

She absolutely adored being Aunt Nana to Stephen and Emma, Ginny Grace, Patricia, Ruby Kate, Jack, Hank, Preston, Judson, Halsey, Brielle, and Hazel. They had the very best in her, and their lives will always be shaped by her love.

But more than anything else, what defined BriAnna most was her faith. Through joy and heartbreak, she clung to her Savior, Jesus Christ. Even in her hardest seasons, she carried a light and hope that could only come from the Holy Spirit within her. Now, though our hearts are broken, we rejoice knowing BriAnna is home, fully healed, fully whole, and fully at peace.

Her tattoo reminded her, and reminds us, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” And in her own handwriting, we find this promise: “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”

Her faith is now sight. Her hope is fulfilled.

The morning of her accident, she sent this scripture to her family: “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast {that is, committed and focused on You-in both inclination and character}, Because he trusts and takes refuge in you {with hope and confident expectation}. Trust {confidently} in the Lord forever {He is your fortress, your shield, your banner}, For the Lord God is an everlasting Rock {the Rock of Ages}.” Isaiah 26:3-4

Meeting her in heaven was her daddy, Steve Atkins; her niece, Hazel Liggitt; her beloved grandparents Jim and Grace Atkins and SH and Ruby Fishel; her Aunt Judy Joyce, Uncle Robbie Joyce and her Aunt Debbie Fishel. She is survived by her devoted husband, Scott Lee; her mama Pat Atkins; her sisters Bethany Pugh (Dawson) and Brittany Liggitt (William); her nieces and nephews named above; her in-laws Tommy and Terri Lee; sister-in-law Kristin Plummer (Jon); and her cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends that are family. We all long to see her again and hear her laugh, and we wait with hope. We love you, Nana, forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friedberg Moravian Church, 2178 Friedberg Church Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27127; Back Creek Presbyterian Church, 2145 Back Creek Church Rd., Mt. Ulla, NC 28125; or Hoof & Paw Therapeutic Riding & Activity Center, 718 Hicks Rd., Lexington, NC 27295.

The funeral service will be held at Friedberg Moravian Church in Winston-Salem on Saturday, October 18, 2025, with Rev. James C. Newsome, Jr. officiating. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., with the service immediately following at noon. A graveside service will take place at 4:00 p.m. at Back Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 2145 Back Creek Church Rd., Mt. Ulla, NC 28125. Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family of Mrs. Lee.