Donovan "DJ" Jacob Beatty - Jr

The beginning of DJs story started well before his birth. The story of a tiny but mighty fighter.

March 29th 2024- The day that would start the beginning of a new chapter, the day that we found out that we were having a sweet little baby!
May 20th 2024- The day that Mommy, Daddy and Big Brother found out that our sweet baby was a baby boy! (It was quite a while later that we finally decided on DJs name)
June 9th- The day that all of our family and friends learned that we were having a baby boy!
July 25th 2024- The day of baby boys anatomy scan, the day that we found out the first of our little mans complex medical journey (thickening on the back of the head and neck) and were transferred from ECU womens care in Washington NC (30 minutes from home) to ECU womens care High Risk OBGYN (1 hour from home).
August 20th 2024- The day we had our first appointment in Greenville at our new OBGYN. We spent over 3 hours in the ultrasound room and were the last patients to leave for the day. This was the day that we found out that DJ had some issues with his brain, lungs and heart. We were then scheduled for appointments 2 times a week to monitor our sweet boys lungs and other issues. We were scheduled for a fetal echo after this appointment. After the fetal echo we were referred to Duke Perinatal for care because it was the best place for his heart issues after birth.
October 12th 2024- The day of baby DJs baby shower, with a theme matching his nursery of Nemo and Dory. We would later find out that just like Nemo our boy had his own special physical traits like Nemo had his “special fin”.
October 21st 2024- The day of our first appointment with Duke Perinatal in Durham NC (2-3 hours from home). We spent multiple hours at this appointment as well to catch up on all tests and scans that needed to be done. We were then scheduled for 2 appointments a week at Duke Perinatal.
November 26th 2024- The day that made Mommy so nervous, our induction day at Duke University Hospital. Mommy was induced at 8 PM. DJ quickly showed Mommy that I was ready to join the rest of the world!
November 27th 2024- The day that our family had look forward to for so long, DJs birthday! In less than 20 minutes and in 1 big push DJ was born! At 17 inches long and 6lbs 3ozs, our baby boy was small but much bigger than we expected. DJs medical quickly worked to stabilize our sweet boy. Mommy and Daddy were able to go see our precious addition that same night. In the following days we would learn more of DJs complex medical issues that he so bravely fought through.
December 17th 2024- The day that DJ first opened his eyes for Mommy and Daddy!
December 26th 2024- The day that DJ finally got to meet his big brother but also one of the most heartbreaking days for our family. This was the day that our sweet baby DJ peacefully passed away in Mommys arms with Daddy right behind her, DJ was surrounded by so many family members that he meant so much to. This night the hospital flooded before the funeral home could pick our sweet boy up.
December 27th 2024- The day that DJ would have been a month old, the day that our sweet DJ was able to finally be brought home.
December 30th 2024- The day that all of the people that DJs story had touched and those that loved DJ came together for his visitation and most being able to meet our sweet boy for the first time. One of the most handsome little boys that you have ever seen.
December 31st 2024- The day that our sweet baby boy DJ was taken to his final resting place. Buried in a family cemetery in Plymouth NC just 20 minutes away from his home with Big Brother, Mommy and Daddy.

DJ was here for 29 days, our piece of Heaven on Earth. DJs has left quite an impact on so many peoples lives. From Mommy and Daddy, to medical providers in Durham, to complete strangers DJ was loved by so many. There are so many people that DJs family owes thanks but none as much as his care team at Duke, without them our most cherished 29 days wouldn't have been possible!

Our tiny but mighty fighter will never be forgotten.

Daddy: Donovan Jacob Beatty
Mommy: Tabitha Michelle Harrison (Tabitha Harrison Williamson)
Big Brother: Adakin Thomas Williamson