Funeral services were held on Wednesday for U.S. District Judge Neal Brooks Biggers Jr., a prominent figure in Mississippi’s legal community, known for his significant rulings on prayer in public schools and funding of historically Black universities. Judge Biggers, who passed away at the age of 88 on October 15 at his home in Oxford, was remembered by friends, family, and colleagues in a solemn ceremony held in Corinth, as reported by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
Born and raised in Corinth, Judge Biggers served in the Navy before pursuing a career in law. He began his legal journey as a prosecuting attorney in Alcorn County, where Corinth is located, and later served as a district attorney for northeast Mississippi. His experience and dedication led to his election as a state circuit judge.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan nominated Neal Biggers to serve as a federal judge for the Northern District of Mississippi. During his tenure, Judge Biggers presided over several high-profile cases that addressed racial disparities in state university funding and prayer in schools. One of the landmark cases involved Black plaintiffs who argued that Mississippi’s higher education system perpetuated a dual and unequal system, favoring predominantly white universities over historically Black ones. In 2002, Judge Biggers ordered the state to allocate an additional $503 million over several years to three historically Black universities: Jackson State, Alcorn State, and Mississippi Valley State.
Another notable case occurred in the 1990s when a mother sued her children’s school district in Pontotoc County, where prayers and Christian devotionals were recited over the intercom. In 1996, Judge Biggers ruled that these practices violated the Constitution’s prohibition on government establishment of religion, setting an important precedent for the separation of church and state in public schools.
Judge Biggers served as chief judge for the Northern District of Mississippi for two years before assuming senior status in 2000. Even in his retirement, he continued to serve as a senior district judge until his passing, leaving a lasting impact on the legal landscape of Mississippi.
While Judge Biggers’ funeral services were a time for reflection and remembrance, his legacy and the impact of his rulings on civil rights and education will continue to shape the future. His dedication to justice and fairness serves as an inspiration for the legal community and the pursuit of equality for all.
