Paula Howard Fruge, 63, of Sulphur, passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in her home surrounded by her family. 

Paula was a life-long Sulphur resident and a 1978 Sulphur High School graduate. She retired from the Calcasieu Parish School Board where she was a clerk in the Calcasieu Resource Center for many years. Paula was a gifted artist and loved exploring nature as inspiration for painting projects. She loved fishing trips with her husband; on many trips while he was fishing, she would lay down her fishing rod and grab her pen and paper to sketch out her next project. Paula loved spending time with her husband and their dogs. She looked forward to time spent with their families. Paula enjoyed music and never missed a chance to listen to jam sessions played by her husband, father-in-law and brothers-in-law. 

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 41 years, Lonnie David Fruge; three siblings, Mark Howard (Leesa) of Lake Charles, Scott Howard (Kelly) of Moss Bluff, and Patricia Varela (Raul) of Dallas, TX; stepmother, Delores Howard; stepfather, Eugene Hanchey; brother-in-law, Jerry Fruge; sisters-in-law, LaDonna Fruge Shifflett and Evelyn Fruge Pagan; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Paula was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Hanchey; father, Cleve Howard; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Houston Fruge, Sr. and Verna Mae Fruge; sister-in-law, Linda Fruge Milton; and brother-in-law, Jim Fruge. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church in Sulphur. Father John Welch will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Big Woods Cemetery. There will be a gathering of friends and family from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Johnson & Robison Funeral Home. Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.robisonfuneralhome.com.