Christine and Elmore Wonsley Shared Heartfelt Tributes to Their Son, Nolan Wells, at His Funeral: “Never Stop Saying His Name”
Christine and Elmore Wonsley said a heartbreaking final goodbye to their 18-year-old son, Nolan Wells, during an emotional funeral service Monday, July 20, as civil rights attorney Ben Crump renewed calls for transparency and justice in the investigation into his death.
Wells’ death remains under investigation after his body was discovered on Horn Island, Mississippi. His disappearance and the questions surrounding his death have drawn national attention, with people across the country joining his family and community through a livestream of the service.
As his parents approached the podium, they reflected on the joy their son brought into their lives and promised they would continue seeking answers on his behalf.
Christine thanked God for allowing her and her husband to spend 18 years raising Nolan.
“I want to give all thanks and honor and glory to God for choosing Elmore and me to be Nolan’s parents,” she said. “We thank you, Lord, for the beautiful 18 years that you blessed us with him, thank you for the joy he brought not only to our family, but also to his friends and everyone in the community whose lives he touched.”
She described her son as a calming presence who made others feel noticed, accepted and valued.
“Nolan had such a gentle, calming spirit about him,” Christine said. “He had a way of making people feel seen, welcome, and valued. He could lift your confidence with just a few words, and make you feel like you belonged.”
Christine said the family would miss Nolan’s quiet personality, corny jokes, warm smile and the comfort he provided to those around him.
“Your absence has left an emptiness that can never truly be filled,” she said. “A piece of our hearts will always be missing.”
Father Shares Memories From Nolan’s Childhood
Nolan’s father, Elmore, recalled milestones from his son’s childhood, including unusual haircuts, basketball championships and his achievements in basketball, baseball and football.
He remembered giving his son the nickname “Mr. Cool Hands” because Nolan appeared to catch a touchdown during nearly every game.
“You wanted to be the best,” Elmore said while fighting back tears.
Beyond Nolan’s athletic abilities, his father said the family was especially proud of the kindness he showed classmates and friends.
“It really warmed me and your mother’s heart when we would get a phone call or an email from a teacher talking about something that you did for a fellow student,” Elmore said.
Nolan dreamed of earning an opportunity to play sports in college, signing a contract and one day raising children of his own.
Ben Crump Calls for a ‘Ferocious Search for the Truth’
Crump, who is representing the Wells family, told mourners that the fight to determine what happened to Nolan has grown far beyond Mississippi.
“People from New York, people from Los Angeles, people from Chicago, Detroit, London, Paris, all over the world have been calling Nolan Wells’ name,” Crump said. “We’re on a ferocious search for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”
Questions remain about the events surrounding Wells’ disappearance during a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island and the discovery of his body two days later.
Crump and the Wells family are asking anyone who was on the island that day to come forward with photographs, videos, social media posts or other information that could help investigators establish what happened.
“We stand for justice, no matter who it convicts or who it acquits,” Crump said. “We stand for transparency because we don’t need law enforcement to narrate.”
He urged people who were present on Horn Island to search their phones and social media accounts for anything that may provide answers.
“If you took a picture, if you have a video, if you have Snapchat, if you have anything, we are pleading on behalf of Elmore and Christine,” Crump said.
He added that any parent would want a full investigation into the death of their child.
“They went out on the boat. The boat came back, and Nolan washed up on the shore two days later, dead,” Crump said.
‘Nolan Was All Our Sons’
Crump placed the family’s demand for answers within a broader history of Black families seeking justice after loved ones died under questionable circumstances.
He referenced Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown and Sonya Massey while arguing that Nolan’s case should matter to families across the country.
“We want answers because we love our children just like you love your children,” Crump said. “Our tears are just as painful as your tears. Our pain hurts just as much as your pain.”
Crump called on investigators to give Nolan’s case the same attention and urgency they would demand if their own children were involved.
“Whatever investigation you would give for your children, we want you to do it for Nolan Wells,” he said. “Whatever search you would do on people’s phones for your children, we want you to do that for Nolan Wells.”
Crump said Nolan was the son of Christine and Elmore, but his death should resonate with every parent.
“He really was all our sons,” Crump said. “Because if something this tragic can happen to their son, it can happen to your children.”
He vowed that the family and its supporters would continue applying pressure until they received answers.
“Until we get answers, until we get to the truth, until we get to justice, we’re going to stand up and we’re going to keep ringing the justice bells for Nolan Wells,” Crump said.
“We’re going to ring the justice bells for Nolan Wells here in Mississippi. We’re going to ring the justice bells for Nolan Wells in the United States of America. We’re going to ring the justice bells for Nolan Wells all over the world because Nolan’s life matters.”
Family Urges Community to ‘Be Like Nolan’
Christine ended her tribute by asking mourners to carry Nolan’s character into their own lives.
“In a world that can often feel dark … be the light that brightens the lives of those around you, be the warmth for those who may be feeling the coldness of the world,” she said. “Love deeply, protect fiercely, and welcome others with kindness.”
She also encouraged those who knew Nolan to continue sharing his stories and speaking his name.
“Hold him close in your hearts,” Christine said. “Share his stories, and never stop saying his name. As long as we continue to remember him, his light will continue to shine through us all.”
The family closed its tribute with a message of love and a promise that the effort to obtain answers would not end with the funeral.
“Nolan, we love you,” Christine said. “We’ll continue to fight for you, and until we meet again.”
