Darnell Joseph Prejean

funeral director and NFDA member in New Orleans, Louisiana, died October 17, 2022, at age 53.

Prejean studied nursing at Dillard University and upon graduating worked at Touro Infirmary and Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He also worked as an on-campus registered nurse at several Orleans Parish public schools. During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Prejean and several other nurses kept six patients alive until federal assistance arrived with boats and helicopters to rescue them.

Later, Prejean returned to school at Delgado Community College and earned his mortuary science certification, which led to one of the highlights of his career – assisting as a pallbearer at Aretha Franklin’s funeral service. He also assisted in the funeral services of civil rights leader Rosa Parks and the Queen of Creole Cuisine, Leah Chase. He was a member of NFDA and the Louisiana Funeral Directors and Mortician Association.

Prejean is survived by mother Patricia Prejean, sister Helena and brother Everette.