Brent Wickliffe Fenet Mcginley

BRENT WICKLIFFE FENET McGINLEY, age 71, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, in her residence, with her family by her side.

She was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on June 15, 1940, to Brent Wickliffe Fenet and Courtney Ashton Fenet. She was the granddaughter of Lydia Cooke Wickliffe and Robert Charles Wickliffe, of St. Francisville, Louisiana, and Mamie Thompson Fenet and Courtney Ashton Fenet, of Plain Dealing, Louisiana.

She graduated from Lake Charles High School, where she was a Colonel in the Kilties. She graduated from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, where she was Vice President of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She graduated with a Legal Assistant Degree from Arapahoe Community College, Denver, Colorado and with a Legal Assistant Specialization in Real Estate Transactions from the University of West Los Angeles, California. She worked as a secretary and paralegal in law firms in Denver, Colorado, and Los Angeles, California, for over 25 years.

She was President of the Los Angeles Paralegal Association, in Los Angeles, California, President of the Board of Directors of the Volunteer Center in Pasadena, California. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was named after the Patriot, Hugh Brent, a Captain in the Virginia Militia during the American Revolutionary War. Her Grandfather, Robert Charles Wickliffe, was a Member of the U.S. Congress from Louisiana. Her Great-Great-Grandfather, Charles Anderson Wickliffe, was Governor of Kentucky, Postmaster General for the United States, and later served as President Polk's secret emissary to the Texas Revolution. Her Great Grandfather, Robert Charles Wickliffe was the 16th Governor of Louisiana

She was also the great granddaughter many times removed of John Wycliffe (Which became Wickliffe in America), who in 1382 translated the Bible into English, which is today knows as the King James Version.

She was the Primary Caregiver and Power of Attorney for her Aunt, Mary Caldwell Fenet, of Plain Dealing, Louisiana, who was ill and bed-ridden for over 6 years prior to her death.

She was married twice; her first husband (1962) was David John Cross, of Upper Montclair, New Jersey, which ended in divorce (1970). Her second husband was Ronald Lee (Ron) McGinley, of Granville, West Virginia (1978).

Survivors include: her husband of 34 years, Ronald Lee McGinley, her brother Courtney Ashton Fenet and wife, Sally Garber Fenet, and their 4 daughters, Leslie, Margaret, Sarah and Emily Fenet. Survivors include: her brother, Robert Wickliffe Fenet, and wife, Sally Gamblin Fenet, and their 4 children, Charles, Lydia, Andrew and Hilary Fenet. Survivors include: her son Sean Mackinnon Cross, and wife, Marla Sucharetza Cross, and their 3 children, Camille, Ethan and Raquel Cross. Survivors include: her son Kevin Farrell Cross and wife, Susan Lee Cross, and their 3 children, Kayla, Rory and Aidan Cross. Survivors include her adopted daughter, Brianna Genevieve Facenda, who was prior to the adoption, her step-granddaughter. Survivors include step-children: Kelly Jo Philbrick, and Michael Scott McGinley and wife, Kelly Maloney McGinley, and 3 step-grandchildren: Katie, Sophie and Timmy McGinley.

The visitation will be held at Johnson's Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601, on Friday, February 3, 2012 from 6 to 8 pm.

A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Brent will be held at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 715 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601, on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at 10 past 10 am as she was often late (southern standard time). The Rev. Jack Myers will officiate.

The family would like to thank Melinda Deville, Home Instead and the Care Team of Christus St Patrick Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oasis (Calcasieu Parish Women's Shelter) in Lake Charles, Louisiana or to your local Hospice.