Bernella Bea Mae Aucoin Fruge

Bernella Mae Aucoin Fruge "Bea", 74, of Lake Charles passed away Wednesday, July 21, 2010 in Jennings, LA following a brief illness.

Mrs. Fruge was born, raised and educated in Basile, LA and has lived nearly fifty years in Lake Charles. She married Atlas Fruge, a well known musician who was one of the true Pioneers of Cajun Music whom was awarded 1st Steel Guitar Player in the Cajun French Music Hall of Fame. Mrs. Fruge enjoyed following her husbands bands as she sometimes played the drums right along side him. She was a charter member of the Cajun French Music Association. She primarily worked in management of many local restaurants. She also enjoyed cooking, music and dancing, having a family dog and had a passion for planting and gardening. Mrs. Fruge had a gift of generosity and hospitality. She was a Christian woman of faith, a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Daughters. She will be most remembered for her personality.

She leaves to cherish her memory, three sons, Robert Mitchell Fruge and wife Dana, Shelby Lee Fruge and wife Deanna and Mark Atlas Fruge and wife Dianne, all of Lake Charles; two daughters, Wanda Fruge Pearson and husband Eddie of Liberty, TX and Oline Fruge Slaven and husband Darryle of Huntsville, TX; seven grandchildren, Penny McMillen and husband Jeff, Brandon and Bethany Fruge, Emily and Catherine Fruge and Megan and Colson Slaven; two great- grandchildren, Grace and Abby McMillen; two step- grandchildren, Mariah and Robert Guillory of Lake Charles; three brothers, Jeffrey Aucoin and wife Jessie of Franklin, LA, Robert Danile Aucoin and wife Carolyn of Basile and Rayford Aucoin and wife Norma of Eunice and her oldest and dearest friend, Hobbie Higginbotham Verrett of Lake Charles.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 40 years, Atlas Fruge and one brother, Silton Aucoin.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, July 24, 2010 in St. Margaret Catholic Church. Father Charles McMillin will officiate. Interment will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation Friday will be from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary service beginning at 6:00 PM. A presentation of the CFMA Bible will be at 5:45 PM. Visitation Saturday will be from 8:00 AM until 12:30 PM in the funeral home.