He would have been 19: Here’s how hundreds remembered Nolan Wells on his birthday

By Sun Herald

Wednesday was supposed to be Nolan Wells’ 19th birthday.

Instead, hundreds of people gathered for a prayer vigil mourning the beloved Ocean Springs teen’s death and celebrating his life at Greater St. John AME Church in Biloxi.

“As we celebrate what would have been his 19th birthday, I am reminded as a father of a 24-year-old son and the uncle of four nephews between the age of 20 and 24, how dangerous, precarious life can be for a young Black man in America,” said Marc Morial, former New Orleans mayor and CEO of the National Urban League.

After many speakers offered condolences to the family and urged for answers and justice after the teen’s death off Horn Island, his parents Christine and Elmore Wonsley spoke to the crowd.

“This morning I had to fight the urge to Facetime you and sing my off-tune Happy Birthday song,” Christine Wonsley said. “I miss the warmth of your hugs, I miss hearing you say ‘I love you mom’, I miss everything about you.”

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