By Billy Davis

He loved soccer.

And church.

And fishing.

And playing guitar.

Wesley “Wes” Lawrence McCullar, 13, would have entered the eighth grade in August at Batesville Junior High School. He died June 21 at his home in Lambert after a .22 caliber rifle accidentally discharged.

“The gun was jammed and he was trying to dislodge the bullet,” said an aunt, Betty Rotenberry.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at Kimbro Funeral Home in Marks. Burial was at Lambert Cemetery.

McCullar was known for his varied talents, which ranged from soccer to art, said friends and family.

But Rotenberry said she remembers her nephew most for enjoying quiet time on the Coldwater River, which meandered through family land in Quitman County.

“He would sit in a lawn chair by the river and play his guitar, and fish,” Rotenberry said. “He loved the outdoors. He was just a country boy.”

In the junior high band, “Wes was our only tuba player,” said band director Jeff Young.

“He tried really hard at whatever he did, and he liked a lot of different things,” he added.

At the funeral service, Crowder resident Levi Brewer described McCullar’s sweet nature. Brewer recalled how neighbors strolling by “went the other way” when they saw him mowing his yard.

“But Mr. Brewer said Wes didn’t go the other way. He asked how he could help,” Rotenberry said.  

The young man was also remembered for his involvement in church. When his family moved, he would become involved in a local church. In Crowder he memorized scriptures for the Upward basketball league. He was baptized at Rose Hill Baptist Church and also attended Bethany Baptist Church.

The teenager was eulogized Wednesday with songs “When I Get Where I’m Going,” “I Can Only Imagine,” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”

BJH teacher Carol Grantham said she remembered McCullar’s polite nature. “Every time I spoke to him – no matter what it was about – he always said, ‘Yes ma’am’ and ‘No ma’am.’”

 “He reminded me a lot of myself,” said Young. “He could be mischievous at times but got really serious when it counted.”