Nolan Wells laid to rest in closed-casket funeral as mourners including Spike Lee and Terrell Owens pay respects — and teen’s mom vows to ‘fight’ for truth

Tragic Mississippi teen Nolan Wells was laid to rest in a closed casket Monday at a packed hometown funeral that included famed director Spike Lee and former NFL star Terrell Owens.

Wells’ mother openly wept as she made her way into Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Miss. — fewer than two weeks after her 18-year-old college-athlete son mysteriously died on a July 4 boating trip with pals.

“I ask that each of you keep Nolan’s memory alive, hold him close in your hearts, share the stories and never stop saying his name,” grieving mom Christine Wonsley said through tears as she stood at the altar before hundreds of mourners, including her son’s stricken football teammates.

Christine Wonsley, Nolan Wells's mother, speaks while being consoled by attorney Ben Crump, Wells's father Elmore Wonsley, and Rev. Al Sharpton at a funeral.
Nolan Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, speaks at his funeral while being consoled by Wells’ father, Elmore Wonsley, as well as lawyer Ben Crump (far left) and the Rev. Al Sharpton (right).USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

“As long as we continue to remember him, his light will continue to shine through us all.

“Nolan we love you, we’ll continue to fight for you, and until we meet again.”

Wells’ body was brought to the church in a blue coffin with silver trim by a white hearse — then placed at the front of the altar between frames with the promising wide receiver’s high-school and college football jerseys inside.

Wells' body arrived at the church in a closed blue casket.
Wells’ body arrives at the church in a closed blue casket with silver trim.Christopher Oquendo for NY Post
Christine Wells-Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley comfort each other at their son Nolan Wells' funeral.
Wells’ parents comforting each other during the funeral serviceChristopher Oquendo

“We thank you Lord for the beautiful 18 years that you blessed us with him,” Wonsley said.

“We will miss everything about him and his quiet nature, the corny jokes, his gentle smile and the way he made everyone around feel loved, comfortable and at ease.”

Wells’ body was found in the water off Horn Island in Mississippi’s Gulf Coast on July 6, two days after he did not return with friends from a boat trip there. His corpse had to be identified through dental records.

Funeral service for Nolan Wells.
Wells’ coffin is at the center of a display with flowers and school pH๏τos of the Mississippi teen.Christopher Oquendo for NY Post
Mourners line up for a viewing during a memorial service for Nolan Xavier Wells,
Mourners usher past tragic 18-year-old Nolan Wells’ casket in Mississippi on Monday.AP PH๏τo/Gerald Herbert
Three framed sports jerseys displayed on easels at a funeral service for Nolan Wells.
Wells’ sports uniforms on display at the funeral.Christopher Oquendo for NY Post

Police have said nothing points to foul play, at least yet, and that they suspect Wells likely drowned. They are awaiting official autopsy results.

But Wells’ family is conducting their own investigation amid what they claim are inconsistencies in Wells’ friends account of the day.

They have expressed concerns over why Wells — who was a student at Southwest Mississippi Community College — supposedly accidentally left his phone with his pals before they went back to shore and whether Snapchat content had been deleted before the device was returned to his family.

Christine Wells-Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, along with others, leaving a funeral.
Sharpton and Crump supported Well’s parents and family members at the funeral.Christopher Oquendo
Spike Lee outside the Center Pointer Church wearing a suit and blue glᴀsses with orange lenses, a black tie, and a memorial ribbon with a picture of Nolan Xavier Wells.
Spike Lee attended the memorial service for Wells.Christopher Oquendo
Football teammates at Nolan Wells' memorial service.
Wells’ football teammates attended the memorial service.AP PH๏τo/Gerald Herbert

Wells’ parents and well-known civil-rights lawyer Benjamin Crump — who accompanied them to Monday’s service — met with Jackson County District Attorney Angel McIlrath on Wednesday to discuss the case.

Crump on Monday led mourners in chants of “Justice for Nolan Wells!” and “Nolan’s life matters!”

“We are on a ferocious search for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God,” he said at the service.

Christine Wells-Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley speak to the media after the funeral for their son Nolan Wells.
Christine Wells-Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley speaking to the media after the funeral.Christopher Oquendo

The Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network got loud cheers as he announced a combined $100,000 reward that he said he and Tyler Perry were offering for any information that leads to a conviction in the case.

“We’re not going to pre-judge it, but we cannot end this until we know all the facts,” he said.

“So all you got to do is reach out to attorney Crump’s office and National Action Network, and we’re going to do that if it leads to an arrest and conviction.

Nolan Wells, second from right, with friends on a boat during July 4 celebrations.
Wells disappeared on a boat trip with pals, then turned up ᴅᴇᴀᴅ two days later.Facebook/Christine Wonsley
Nolan Xavier Wells in a blue graduation gown and bow tie, with his parents.
Wells pictured with his parents.GoFundMe

“And I guarantee you’ll have it before the sun goes down.”

Wells’ former Ocean Springs High School teammates and the current college grid athletes who played with him were among the first to file past the casket for the visitation.

“Your absence has left an emptiness that can never be filled,” Wonsley told the crowd of her son.

“We’ll continue to fight for you.”