Carol Ann Letsinger

On Friday, January 16, 2026, we said goodbye (for now) to Carol Ann (Bard) Letsinger, who was born on April 3, 1947, in Vivian, Louisiana, to Sam W. Bard and Evelyn Hudak Bard.

Carol lived with a steady kind of strength, the kind you didn't always notice at first because she made it look natural. She built a life rooted in devotion, family, and faithful follow-through. If you ever wondered what quiet love looks like in action, you could see it in Carol.

On August 20, 1967, she married Ralph William Letsinger Jr. Their story began when she was a freshman and he was a senior at Kenedy High School in Kenedy, Texas, and together they shared 58 years of marriage, partnership, and friendship. Carol valued connection and community throughout her life and was a longtime member of Beta Sigma Phi, as well as a faithful participant in multiple Bunco clubs over the years.

Carol's career reflected her versatility and work ethic. She served as one of the first staff secretaries at Stroman High School, worked as a price checker for H-E-B, and held positions supporting doctors at Gulf Bend and as secretary of the Victoria Medical Society. She later became HR Director at Gulf Bend, worked for the Texas Lottery, served in the Trust Department at Victoria Bank & Trust, and then spent the final 25 years of her career as the Office Manager at Alexander & Marek, CPAs. Wherever she worked, people counted on Carol because she was capable, consistent, and quietly excellent at making things run well.

While working, Carol and Ralph raised two sons: Bard Ingram Letsinger, and Brek William Letsinger.

Later, Carol became Nana to her grandchildren, Braiden, Jack, Kate, and Kailee, and she loved playing games and baking with them. Carol also loved her dogs fiercely, always rescue dogs, and she consistently supported local animal adoption efforts.

Christmas was one of Carol's favorite times of year. She loved decorating the house and the yard, and she was known for her cinnamon hard candy, peanut butter and chocolate buckeyes, and Christmas sugar cookies. She recruited help the way all great moms and Nanas do: the boys first, and later the grandkids, all lined up to decorate cookies and "taste test" along the way.

After retiring, Carol got to live out one of her dreams of traveling, not just in the states but around the world. Some of her favorite places included Milan, Amsterdam, Venice and New York City. Still, her favorite destination was always Walt Disney World in Florida. She traveled so often that staff at the Marriott at Houston's Intercontinental Airport and Disney's Beach Club Resort knew her by name. Carol also became the go-to Disney planner for many of her friends, happily helping families plan trips and make the most of their time together.

Carol loved coffee and was a devoted member of Fellowship of the Crossroads, where she especially enjoyed the church coffee shop, a ministry she had a large part in helping become a reality. Her faith was lived out not loudly, but faithfully, in the way she loved people, served others, and showed up day after day.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Sam W. Bard and Evelyn Hudak Bard. She is survived by her beloved husband, Ralph William Letsinger Jr.; her sister, Sandra Johnson of Bulverde, Texas; her sons, Bard Letsinger and wife Mollie of Victoria, TX, and Brek Letsinger and wife Ericca of Victoria, TX; and her grandchildren, Braiden Letsinger and wife Angel of Conroe, TX, Jack Letsinger of Austin, TX, Kate Meador and husband Logan of San Antonio, TX, and Kailee Jaksch and husband Trevor of Round Rock, TX, and one great-grandchild expected in July 2026.

Visitation will be at Grace Funeral Home at 2401 Houston Hwy, on Friday, January 23 from 6:00-8:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 1:00 PM at Fellowship of the Crossroads, 597 Haynes Road in Victoria with the Rev. Scott Weatherford and Rev. Bard Letsinger presiding. Interment will be at Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Braiden Letsinger, Jack Letsinger, Trevor Jaksch, Logan Meador, Bobby Schneider, Canyon Schneider, Troy Mcintosh, and Kyle Kizer.

The family would like to express special thanks to Carol's care team, especially Kelly Rankin, Elizabeth Gainer, Kelsey Laredo, Alyson Plant, Kim Wagner, and Brittany Wagner, along with the staff at Sodalis Assisted Living Facility and Hospice of South Texas, for their compassion, care, and kindness. The family is also deeply grateful to the many friends, church family, and loved ones who surrounded Carol and Ralph with prayers, encouragement, meals, visits, and steady support over the past few years.

Carol's life was a gift, faithfully given. Her love lives on in her family, her friendships, and in the countless ordinary moments she made extraordinary simply by being who she was.