Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Nancy Sue Lawson Morgan passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on November 28, 2025, at the age of 75.
Nancy was born on October 22, 1950, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to Jack and Juanita Lawson. In January 1972, she met the love of her life, Frank Morgan, and they married that September. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with laughter and adventure. They welcomed their daughter Jennifer in 1977 and their son Colin in 1983, and family always remained at the center of Nancy's world.
Nancy loved exploring new places, and over the years, the Morgans traveled by car from California to Florida. One unforgettable trip through Louisiana became family legend: after stopping at Avery Island to visit the Tabasco Factory, Nancy spotted alligators closing in on Frank and the kids. In a moment of panic, she handed Frank a giant bucket of Cheetos cheeseballs—his only defense! Frank hurled the cheeseballs at the alligators, and from that day forward, "cheeseballs" were forever known as alligator bait.
Nancy's greatest joy came from being "Ma" to her granddaughters, Emmeline and Griffin, born in 2009 and 2012. She filled their lives with whimsy, safety, and unconditional love. During the COVID lock downs, Nancy turned online schooling into an adventure and invented games like "Guess This Thing," where players were blindfolded and had to identify objects by touch and smell. She even roped Frank into the fun—most famously when she covered his shower cap in shaving cream and let the girls toss cheeseballs at his head, creating what they called "alligator bait hair."
At age 39, Nancy answered a new calling and joined the Army Reserves, serving in the 5501st Medical Battalion. She was activated twice, stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, and at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. She retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2010. Her time in Germany sparked a love of travel, and she explored France, Austria, The Netherlands, England, Italy, Czech Republic, Australia, and more—often sharing these adventures with her family. One favorite memory was skiing in Austria, where Nancy cooled her mulled wine with foot-long icicles plucked from the chalet roof.
Nancy was a lifelong learner and a dedicated nurse. She earned her RN diploma in 1971, a bachelor's in nursing from Southwest Texas State University, and two master's degrees—one in education from The University of Texas at Austin and another in nursing (family nurse practitioner) from UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Her career spanned psych nursing, school nursing, prison healthcare, public health, and pain management, where she offered compassion and dignity to every patient. Nancy believed deeply in caring for people as whole human beings, and her patients never forgot her kindness.
Though not an extrovert, Nancy had a gift for making friends everywhere she went. Her warmth and genuine curiosity drew people in, and her circle was always expanding. In her final days, she was surrounded by friends from every chapter of her life—from high school companions to fellow Stephen Ministers at Oak Hill United Methodist Church.
Nancy is survived by her beloved husband, Frank; daughter, Jennifer (Doug); son, Colin; granddaughters, Emmeline and Griffin; sisters, Sharon and Cathy (Joe); brother, John (Pam); and many cherished in-laws, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Juanita Lawson; brother, Jack Lawson; sisters-in-law, Joann Lawson and Lolita Slagle; and nephew, Josh McClelland.
The family will celebrate Nancy's remarkable life at a later date. Details are forthcoming, and all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Oak Hill United Methodist Church or Heart to Heart Hospice in her honor.