Anna-Lisa Paul
In an emotional tribute to his 22-year-old son Shakir Wells who was murdered last month in Wallerfield, police officer Terryl Wells appealed to parents and guardians to raise their children in the right way so they could be positive contributors to society and the nation.
His half-hour long eulogy left the entire congregation at the Bethel World Outreach Ministries, Arima, in tears.
Shakir, an employee of American Airlines, had gone to visit a female friend when he was robbed and shot at Antigua Road, Wallerfield, at around 11 pm on January 25. His 19-year-old friend survived the attack.
As the grieving father stood at the podium and looked down at his son’s body in a glass casket, he said Shakir had been a celebrity as evidenced by the packed congregation of family, friends, colleagues, schoolmates and well-wishers who turned out to pay their last respects.
“Great and excellent things can come in small packages,” Wells said
He spoke about the always smiling and happy young man who was tenacious, ambitious, hard working, honest, helpful, motivated, and loving. He said his son worked and studied diligently as he charted his path to success.
Wells recalled Shakir’s grandfather prophesying that he would be a loving child from the time he was born. He said Shakir’s dedication to people and tasks never faltered to the extent that his son refused to leave his side when he became gravely ill after contracting COVID-19.
Shakir’s mother Alana viewed the funeral via a live stream from the United States. Wells said their love as parents had resulted in seven lovely and productive children and he thanked Shakir for not ever bringing shame and disgrace on the family, or trouble to their door.
“I don’t know how to fix this one in terms of getting you back,” he said, looking down at his son’s body in the casket.
Many of the mourners broke down in tears as he added: “You didn’t deserve this.”
Wells vowed to change how he lived life in memory of Shakir and thanked his slain son for sharing light, compassion and goodness with everyone everywhere he went.
Tributes also came from friends, family and former classmates.
“Shakir was all about love,” his uncle Brent Gaspard said
One of Shakir’s friend, struggling through his grief to read a written tribute, said: “Never once weren’t you there when we needed you.”
Another friend recalled that Shakir showed respect to everyone whether CEO or janitor.
Marsha Charles, Shakir’s co-worker at American Airlines, described him as a gentleman who listened without judging. She said his untimely death had left the staff reeling.
