Charlsie Lacy Nygard

After a full and rewarding life, Charlsie Lacy Nygard died on December 22, 2025. She was 94 years old. Born in 1931 to Leona Sowell Lacy and Robert Washington Lacy in rural San Augustine County, Charlsie was the youngest of ten children. She cherished her memories of growing up in the Piney Woods, and returned to the area to visit her extended East Texas family throughout her life.

Charlsie graduated from Broaddus High School, and then attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. There she met Lewis Nygard, a handsome young Navy veteran attending a nearby technical school. They married in 1951 — a happy and loving partnership which lasted over fifty years. After Charlsie completed her college degree, the young couple moved to Bay City where Lewis was the co-owner of an appliance and furniture store, and Charlsie taught first grade in BCISD elementary schools, teaching hundreds of children to read and write during her long career. Upon retirement, she and Lewis spent much of their time in their beloved Colorado cabin, generously hosting countless friends and family members throughout the years.

Lewis’s death in 2002 was a difficult loss for her, but she refocused her efforts on volunteer work in Matagorda County, particularly as a Methodist lay minister, and as a hospice volunteer. She also gave time and energy to her spiritual home, St Paul’s Methodist Church, where she and Lewis were founding members. Charlsie’s final years were spent at The Fountains Assisted Living in Sweeny, where she made new friends, created award-winning paintings, and kept the staff on their toes with her wit and independence.

Charlsie extended kindness and compassion to everyone she met. Her generous spirit will live on through her surviving family members including daughter Paula Nygard and her husband Pete Vance, and son Chris Nygard and his wife Nancy. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were an immense source of joy to her: Brant Burnell (Jessica) and their children Reed and Claire; Carrie Vance Wampler (Jay) and their daughter Cheyenne; Zeb Vance (Lindsey) and their children Adaleigh and Wade; Clay Nygard (Lauren) and their sons Colt and Leo; and Will Nygard (Danai) and their daughter Emma.

Charlsie is also survived by many nieces and nephews including Rebecca Henly, Sally Henly, Patricia Thompson, Diane Harrison, Cathy Willis, Cindy Skinner, Jimmie Ardell Stephens, Steve Lacy, and Steve Harrison — their calls, texts, and visits buoyed her through her final months. Charlsie was predeceased by all of nine of her Lacy siblings and their spouses, as well as all of her Nygard in-laws. She was the last of her generation in our family — she will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to thank the staff of The Fountains Assisted Living, hospice nurse Kathy Zimmerman, and caregivers Joslyn Washington, Carolyn Sanford, and Barbara Daniels for their compassionate care — they smoothed the rough edges of a challenging time.

And finally — If you can read this, please thank a teacher.