Memorial Plans Announced for New Orleans Civil Rights Icon Jerome 'Big Duck' Smith

Celebration of life for Jerome 'Big Duck' Smith set for Saturday, Sept. 12

Funeral arrangements have been announced for New Orleans Civil Rights icon Jerome "Big Duck" Smith.

Memorial plans announced for New Orleans civil rights icon Jerome 'Big Duck' Smith

A weekend of private remembrance events will be held next month before Smith is laid to rest.

Memorial services for late New Orleans Civil Rights leader Jerome ‘Big Duck’ Smith announced

New Orleans will lay Jerome “Big Duck” Smith to rest next month with two days of memorial services celebrating the local Civil Rights leader’s storied life and relentless work in the name of racial equality.

In Memoriam: Jerome "Big Duck" Smith

906 Jerome "Big Duck" Smith at Downtown Super Sunday 2026 [Photo by MJ Mastrogiovanni] Jerome "Big Duck" Smith at Downtown Super Sunday 2026 [Photo by MJ Mastrogiovanni] Jerome "Big Duck" Smith, a Freedom Rider, civil rights leader, community organizer, culture bearer, and mentor passed Friday, August 21, 2026 at the age of 87. Smith dedicated his life to justice and to preserving the culture of New Orleans. As a young man, he participated in …