In memory of

Parents cope with grief by creating scholarship funds

Story by Christina Hughes Babb | Photo by James Coreas

It is easy to picture Melinda Lee — 20 years old with a gentle smile, porcelain complexion, blonde curls — chatting with her sorority sisters as she drove away from the club that October night in 1994, unaware of what fate loomed on the road.

Wayland Leroy Lamb, 32, was drunk and distraught following a fight with his wife, according to court documents, when he barreled past the red light into their car.

All three girls were injured, Melinda beyond repair.

The next 54 days, Melinda lay in a Lubbock hospital, and her parents watched her die.

“She was on a ventilator, so she was unable to eat, drink, speak or breathe on her own the entire time,” her father Don Lee says. “Yet, she was conscious and alert most of the time. Just stop and imagine if you think you could exist in this type of condition for 54 days.” who can’t control their drinking but who still get behind the wheel of a car.”

It is painful to talk about the details, Lee says, but he and his wife, Patsy, never want people to forget the lasting and farreaching agony that can result from one decision to drive while intoxicated.

The Lees describe their daughter’s killer, who served 20 prison years, as “lost,” and someone they are now trying to forget.

They intend to keep Melinda’s memory alive. A plaque near the front door of their Lake Highlands home reads, “In Memory of Melinda Ann Lee.” Family photos — many including a young Melinda — cover living room tables, walls and shelves; Melinda, Patsy and her other daughter, Jennifer, all share the same golden locks and fair skin.

For years after Melinda’s death, until health issues began holding them back, the Lees worked tirelessly to help reduce drunk driving by speaking at Mothers Against Drunk Driving events around the country and writing letters to the media.

The Melinda Lee Scholarship, which has helped 37 students and counting afford college, is perhaps their late daughter’s most-enduring legacy.