Local

Slain Marine Lance Cpl. Skip Wells laid to rest

ATLANTA — United States Marine Lance Cpl. Skip Wells, 21, was laid to rest in Cherokee County Sunday.

He was among five servicemen shot and killed in Chattanooga last week.

Wells was in one of the buildings when a man opened fire, a family spokesperson said.

Wells was a graduate of Sprayberry High School. He attended Georgia Southern University for a short time, but felt a calling to serve in the Marines, the spokesperson said.

The Holly Springs Police Department coordinated a public tribute before the funeral on the Sixes Road overpass over I-575.

“Sunday July 26th the Funeral will be held for Cpl Skip Wells United States Marine at the Woodstock Baptist Church….The City of Holly Springs Police Department will be proudly and humbly involved in the Funeral Procession in Honor of him….HSPD will also provide the closure of traffic lanes on the Sixes Road Bridge over I-575 for those who wish to Stand in Honor of Cpl Wells as the procession comes up the interstate….As the Funeral starts at 2pm and we have no immediate knowledge of what time the procession will pass please plan accordingly if you wish to be involved….Our Thoughts and Prayers continue for the Family of Cpl Wells and our utmost appreciation for his service and giving his life for the United States of America.”

Afterward, Wells was interred with military honors at Georgia National Cemetery. The Holly Springs Police Department coordinated a public tribute and issued this traffic advisory:

“The funeral service for Lance Corporal Skip Wells will be held on Sunday, July 26th, beginning in Woodstock, GA, and the funeral procession will travel I-575 Northbound to the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

Please note that during the hours of 2:30 PM until approximately 3:30 PM, there will be fire trucks on the bridges of Sixes Road, Rabbit Hill Road, and Holly Street. Sixes Road will have 1 lane closed (Eastbound Lane) for pedestrian traffic for those who wish to pay their respects. Parking will be available at both the Northside Cherokee Holly Springs location, and the Aquatic Center. Please refrain from parking on the roadway, and please use extreme caution during these hours as there will be a high volume of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Alternate routes that you may wish to utilize during this time are Marble Quarry Road and Highway 5/Holly Springs Parkway.”