The family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells announced this week that his funeral will be held on July 20 at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with the Reverend Al Sharpton officiating the service. The decision to hold the funeral in his hometown comes nearly three weeks after Wells went missing during a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast and was found dead two days later.
Wells was among a group of friends who traveled by boat to the barrier island to celebrate Independence Day. He was last seen at 3 p.m. that afternoon, and when his companions returned to shore without him, he was reported missing around 11 p.m. His body was discovered the following Monday along the shore of the island, sparking a case that has drawn national attention and ignited scrutiny over how authorities have handled the investigation.
The funeral visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the service beginning immediately afterward. Actor and producer Tyler Perry is covering the funeral costs. The family has also planned a separate celebration of life at the Jackson County Fairgrounds for family members, friends, and former teammates. In announcing the arrangements, Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, emphasized that the day would be a celebration of her son’s life rather than a somber occasion. “We want to celebrate Nolan. He would not want us to be sitting around crying and eating,” she said.
The family’s attorney, noted civil rights attorney Ben Crump, will deliver a “Call to Justice” during the service. The Rev. Al Sharpton stated that the funeral will not be a protest but rather a homecoming celebration of Wells’ life and legacy. The reverend previously stated at a news conference in New York that he would officiate the service.
Wells was a wide receiver who had just completed his first season at Southwest Mississippi Community College and was preparing to begin his second year of college football. At Ocean Springs High School, where he graduated in 2025, he was a multi-sport athlete who earned recognition for his character and leadership both on and off the field. His coaches and teammates described him as a dedicated player with a generous spirit who made a significant impact beyond athletics.
Christine Wonsley reflected on her son the night before his boat trip. Wells had come to their home, prepared baked salmon for dinner, and hugged his mother goodbye. The Wonsley family has been vocal about their concerns regarding the investigation into their son’s death, questioning the official narrative that he chose to stay on the island and may have accidentally drowned. His parents have noted that Wells was an accomplished swimmer and elite athlete, and they have raised questions about several details that do not add up to them, including the absence of his phone and keys despite allegedly choosing to remain on the island.
The family commissioned an independent autopsy, being paid for by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, to be conducted in Washington, D.C. by a forensic pathologist with no ties to Mississippi law enforcement. Official autopsy results have been pending as the investigation continues. The family’s attorney has also raised concerns about messages that appeared to have been deleted from Wells’ cell phone and plans to work with prosecutors on examining its contents. The Jackson County District Attorney’s office has committed to presenting the investigation to a grand jury once it is completed.
The case has captivated the nation and sparked broader conversations about race and safety in Mississippi. Photos from the boat trip show Wells with his arms around three white male friends, and observers have noted that he appears to be the only Black person in the group. The investigation has unfolded against Mississippi’s fraught racial history and an ongoing distrust of law enforcement within the Black community.
High-profile figures have lent their support to Wells’ family and the call for transparency. Filmmaker Spike Lee attended a news conference in New York where the family made their first public plea for a thorough investigation. Media mogul Byron Allen donated $100,000 to a GoFundMe account established in Wells’ name to assist the family. The Congressional Black Caucus also called for an independent investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Wells’ mother has asked the public to respect the family’s privacy during this time while also urging those who plan to protest or mourn to do so peacefully. “If you are having protests, even the day of his service, I am asking you guys to just keep it peaceful. Nolan would never want any type of violence, he was not that kind of person,” she said. The family’s message reflects Wells’ known character as someone who valued peace and inclusion and who made friends easily across different groups.