Montgomery Advertiser -- Funeral plans were pending Wednesday for a 22-year-old Army soldier from Opelika who died in Iraq.

Sgt. Christopher J. Taylor on Sunday was fatally wounded by mortar rounds while in Balad, located near Baghdad. Harris Funeral Home of Opelika is in charge of arrangements.

Taylor was an honors student who graduated from Opelika High School in May 2001 with an advanced diploma. Opelika City Schools officials Wednesday issued a statement with comments recalling Taylor as a student.

"Chris was quiet, but he had the most beautiful smile," said his fifth-grade teacher, Lynda Caswell. "He was the kid who wanted to be friends with everybody.

"When other kids picked on him, he would just let it roll off his back and go right on. He always had such a good attitude and a very positive outlook on life. He was a bright kid who always gave his all."

Classmate and friend Antaveous Stephens said: "Chris was smart, quiet and pretty well-known because he went out of his way to be a friend to everybody."

Taylor was assigned to First Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, First Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, located west of Savannah, Ga.