The family of Nolan Wells, the 18-year-old found dead on Horn Island on July 6, has announced updated funeral plans.
Wells’ parents, along with family attorney Ben Crump, announced after a meeting with the Jackson County district attorney on Wednesday that Wells’ funeral will be Monday, July 20, at Center Point Church in Ocean Springs. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. with the service following. Rev. Al Sharpton will officiate the service, while filmmaker Tyler Perry is covering all costs.
Christine Wonsley, the mother of Wells, asked that only family members, friends, teammates, and media attend. She also asked that any potential protests – as questions remain surrounding the cause of her son’s death – remain peaceful.
“If you are having protests, even the day of his service, I am asking you guys to just keep it peaceful,” she said. “Nolan would never want any type of violence or anything like that. He was not that kind of person.”
Wonsley added that the family has been in contact with Southwest Mississippi Community College football coach Les George to ensure all teammates and those within the program are invited to the funeral. Wells played as a wide receiver at the junior college in Summit after graduating from Ocean Springs High School.
Wells’ funeral was initially being planned for inside the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi. After the venue’s commission agreed Monday to host the services, executive director Sam Voisin confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the family was looking elsewhere.
“On behalf of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all those mourning the loss of Nolan Wells,” Voisin said. “After meeting with representatives of the Wells family, we support their decision not to hold Nolan Wells’ funeral services at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center, Monday, July 20, as previously discussed.
“We appreciate the opportunity to have worked with the family during this process and remain committed to supporting them and our community during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they continue making arrangements to celebrate his life.”
Wells went to Horn Island with friends on July 4 and was reported missing after he was said to have not made it back to the mainland. On the morning of July 6, his body was found by a park ranger after a multiagency search of the barrier island. While the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation, the family is conducting its own review of the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death.
Results from both the state-ordered and independent autopsies remained pending as of Wednesday morning.