Songa Duchmann Bell

Songa Duchmann Bell entered her eternal rest on Monday, June 30, 2025. She was 73 years old. She is survived by her children, Jeff Bell, III (Julie) and Jennifer Bell Bowman (Chris). She was the proud grandmother of Jeffrey Bell, Grace Bell, and Jacob Bell; great-grandmother of Kingston Lee; and Nanny to the Reaney children. She was the beloved sister of Sandra Lacoste, Henry Duchmann, Jr., Danny Duchmann, and Wayne Duchmann. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, the late Jeff Bell, Jr., by her parents, the late Grace Blanchard Duchmann and Henry Duchmann, Sr.; and by her siblings, the late Kenny Duchmann, and Shari Jackson.

Songa was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1973. She enjoyed a brief career in retail at Nathalie’s Boutique before settling down with the love of her life, Jeff, and starting a family. She never missed a Grandparents Day event and happily spent her evenings and weekends travelling to baseball games and dance revue.

Songa served her community by volunteering at the First Baptist Church of Chalmette Food Bank, and was a hardworking member of T.O.P.S. She was happiest when spending time with her great-grandson, Kingston. She loved Mardi Gras, playing Bingo, people watching, shopping at Kirkland’s and Cato’s, and lived for extra crispy fried oysters from Rocky’s. She was a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted friend, and a beacon of her community. She will be forever missed by those she leaves behind.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue Street, in Chalmette, from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. A memorial service will be held in her memory at 11:00 AM.