Local Marine Laid to Rest

Friends and family said a final good-bye to Lance Cpl. Cody Stanley on Friday. His funeral was held at the First Baptist Church in Smithville. So many people showed up to pay their respects that the crowd overflowed into a separate building. The decorated Marine was killed October 28 while serving his country in Afghanistan.

"He was doing what he wanted to do, he was doing his job, we feel blessed that he was ours for almost 22 years," said his mother Wendi Stanley.

One after another, childhood friends and fellow marines shared stories of Stanley's courage and character.

"He was never afraid of hard work, if ever a time you needed help, Cody would be there," said Kyle Hammons.

Dozens of members of the Patriot Guard stood watch outside the church and helped lead the funeral procession to the Lockhart Cemetary.

Along the way, children and adults alike lined the road and waved flags. The entire student body of Smithville High School also came outside to salute Stanley as his procession passed by on FM 535.

Stanley is survived by his parents and a younger brother, Cade Stanley.