El Jerome Bourgeois

El Jerome "Soulja" Bourgeois

1987 - 2025

El Jerome Bourgeois affectionately known as "Soulja" entered eternal rest on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the age of 38. He was born August 11, 1987, to the parentage of Eric Smith and Felencia Bourgeois. He received his early education within the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School System and was a graduate of East St. John High School, Class of 2006. He was native of LaPlace but determined to build a better life for his family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Music was El Jerome's blood; he began his musical journey at the age of thirteen. Known artistically as "Soulja" he formed groups, established his own record label, signed different artist, and founded the nonprofit organizations G4E- Movement and Give a Gift. El Jerome enjoyed fishing, traveling with family and friends, and coaching kickball for both youth and women.

The memory of El Jerome's legacy will forever be embedded in the hearts of his loving wife, Reva Renee Bourgeois; sons Don`Tae Da'Marcus Mitchell and Don`Trel Jerome Bourgeois and daughter, Da`Riel Michelle Bourgeois; father, Eric Smith; mother Felencia Bourgeois Anderson (husband Ronald); brothers, Erik and El Rico Bourgeois, Damien, Devin and Jamal Gomez; sister Erica Smith Gomez; step-brothers, Marcus and Lance Gomez, and Tony Bell; step sister, Nayaza Bell; uncles, Wallace A. Bourgeois Jr.; Melvin Smith, and Keith A. Smith; aunts Felicia Bourgeois Charles, Felendia Bourgeois, Jill and Denise Robinson; god parents, Mike Charles Sr. and Bishop Alfreda Devare; brother-in-law, Darrien Smith Jr.; sisters-in-law, LeAmber Bourgeois and Jasmine Dailey and a host of great uncles and aunts, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Beloved family members who preceded El Jerome in death include his paternal grandmother, Vera Ann Smith; maternal grandparents, Wallace Sr. and Shirley Jacob Bourgeois; mother-in-law, Martha Joseph; cousin, Michael A. Charles Jr.; and many unnamed uncles, aunts and other cousins.

Relatives and friends of the family, Pastors, officers and members of Riverlands Christian Center and all neighboring Churches are all invited to the Funeral Services at 11:00am on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Riverlands Christian Center, 123 Redemption Way, Reserve, LA 70084. Visitation from 10:00 am until the time of Funeral at the above-named Church. Interment Rising Star Baptist Church Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, 1103 Cardinal Street, Laplace, LA 70068. Final Arrangements entrusted to Patrick H. Sanders Funeral Home & Funeral Directors, LLC. 605 Main Street, Laplace, LA 70068. 985-359-1919. "Providing Care & Comfort is Our Highest Mission."