Frances Elizabeth Fuentes, daughter of Frank B. and Gladys Nichols, born August 7, 1934 in Galveston, Texas has joined the Heavenly Father on September 23, 2010. Frances was fondly called "Lady Bug" by her late husband of 24 years, Robert Louis Fuentes who preceded her in death in 1990. Frances was an only child but had a sister in Spirit and dear friend, Joyce Cogar of Buna, Texas. Frances had seven children, fourteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Her children are: Baby boy Trevino who died at birth in June 1952, Marilyn Louise Crouch (David) of Potts Camp Mississippi, Frank Edward Trevino (Dodie) of Groves, Texas, Michael Wayne Trevino (Patricia) of Carrolton, Texas, Ray Allen Trevino (deceased), William Alfred Fuentes (Kathy) of Dallas, Texas and Sharon Marie Fuentes of Portland Connecticut. Through her marriage she had four step children: Robert Fuentes (deceased), Anthony Fuentes (Judy) of Amarillo, Texas, Glenn Paul Fuentes (deceased), and Kelly Denny of Amarillo, Texas. Frances was born in Galveston, Texas and was actively involved in contributing to the community through volunteering for fundraising events such as annual fundraisers to help crippled children, with the schools and churches. She lived there until she and her husband, Robert moved to Beaumont, Texas in 1966. Soon after their move, she and Robert befriended a life long dear friend and surrogate Uncle to her two youngest children and namesake to her youngest son, Alfred S. Gerson. For a short time Frances and Robert became involved in the Beaumont Civic Opera and the local theatrical arts at Lamar University. Frances was an avid seamstress and worked several years in retail for the Singer Sewing Company. She was a lover of opera and classical music and often traveled to Houston to see operas and listen to symphonic concerts. She loved listening to Luciano Pavarotti and one of her favorite arias was Nessum Dorma from Giacomo Puccini's Turandot and her favorite opera by the same composer was Madame Butterfly. She remained committed to her Catholic Faith and reared her children in the same religion. She taught her children to be strong, independent thinkers and the importance of self sufficiency. She was a strong, proud woman who had many friends and enjoyed their company on a regular basis. Her favorite hobby that she learned to love from her father was to fish. She was an artist at ceramics and folk art paintings. She also loved to cook and had an enormous collection of cookbooks that she read and used to create her tasty dishes. She loved to collect antiques. Because of the nickname from her husband, she maintained a large collection of lady bugs that were given to her as gifts from all who adored her. In 2003, Frances relocated to Crowley, Texas and lived at Saint Francis' Village. Here in this Catholic retirement community she made several friends, enjoyed many activities and social events with other residents in the Village. Her favorite group here at the Village was the Red Hat Society. Her time here was a perfect last chapter in her life. She thoroughly enjoyed the environment, love of her friends and social support that she had while living at Saint Francis' Village. She was strong to the very end after a short course with lung cancer. She was sourrounded by her children at her side and was for the greatest portion of her illness was cared for by her dedicated daughter Marilyn.
