Leola B. Fruge

Leola Benoit Fruge, 85, was called to her Heavenly home on Sunday, December 13, 2020, following a brief illness.

Born January 23, 1935 in Mermentau Cove, Louisiana to Pierre and Eugenia Terro Benoit, Mrs. Fruge lived in the Winnie-Stowell, Texas area from age nine until she married in 1951.  She and her husband moved to Lake Charles in 1954.  Widowed after thirteen years of marriage, Mrs. Fruge reared and nurtured her children to know and love God.  She was a woman of amazing Godly strength and integrity.  She taught her children by example to never give up and to live a life of faith.  She was integrally involved in all her children’s activities, including their kids’ bands, which she managed.  She was named “Chief Roadie” of the Little Giants Band and the Illusive Times Band.  Many precious and happy memories were built through their family bands.  In 1980, Mrs. Fruge became a florist and worked for over thirty years in local shops, including Michelle’s Flower Shop, Funk’s Florist for twenty years, Walmart Florists on Nelson Road, and Albertson’s Flowers for more than ten years, retiring in 2012.   She was a faithful member of St. Margaret Catholic Church.

Those left to mourn her loss and cherish her memory are three sons, Ronald Joseph Fruge, Clinton Eugene Fruge and wife Tammy, both of Lake Charles, and Dudley Joseph Fruge, II and wife Ellen of Lafayette; three daughters, Karen June “K.J.” Smith and husband Curt, Ramona Gail “Mona” Conner, both of Lake Charles, and Pamela Faye Shuff and husband Neal of Lacassine; 19 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dudley Joseph Fruge, Sr., one son, Darrell Wayne Fruge, one brother, Earl Eugene Benoit, and three sisters, Hazel McBride, Eunice Broussard, and Mabel Foreman.

A mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at St. Margaret Catholic Church.  Father Sam Orsot will officiate.  Interment will be in Lacassine Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 16, at University Baptist Church from 5 until 8 p.m., with words of loving encouragement to be shared by longtime family friend Pastor Rick Batchelor at 5:30, followed by rosary at 6 p.m. 

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation for the compassionate care given their beloved mother to the doctors and nursing staff of the 5^th floor at St. Patrick Hospital and to Christus Hospice and Palliative Care St. Patrick.

In accordance with current COVID state regulations, it is requested that attendees wear masks and respect social distancing.