Time stood still for Turtle’s final ride

Family and friends gather for a goodbye for Skyler “Turtle” Wallace

By Jim Freeman

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Like they were frozen in time, police officers stood outside their cruisers at attention, all intersections were blocked off by fire and police units, countless vehicles sat motionless all the while the more than 60 vehicle procession crawled at a turtle’s pace up the four lane from Jacksboro Middle School bound for Campbell Memorial Gardens.

Around a hundred folks, young and old, one so young it was feeding on a milk bottle, gathered under and around a tent that sat on the grassy hillside at Campbell Memorial Gardens. The bright, quickly heating, sunshine did not deter those in attendance.

Jacksboro Police and Fire units followed at the end of the procession.

At the grave site, Pastor Tom Reese offered similar comforting remarks like he delivered at Friday night’s funeral for young Skyler. Martin-Wilson Funeral Home Funeral Director Jason Freeman explained that Skyler had left a hand print on everyone’s life and encouraged attendees to leave their hand print on Skyer’s casket, and they did. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/15/2024-NOON-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)