Rebecca Stark Nugent

Rebecca (Becky) Stark Nugent, 78, of Bryan, passed away November 10, 2024 after a life surrounded by those who cherished and adored her. Services will be held at Grace Bible Church – Anderson Campus in College Station on November 23 at 11AM.

She was born September 4, 1946 in Orange, Texas to Becky and Homer Stark. Becky had an idyllic childhood in Orange with her parents and siblings Ramona, Rebel and Lutcher. She graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in 1964 where she excelled academically and was named “Most Beautiful.”  Becky went on to attend Texas Women’s University in Denton. While there,  she was the Student Body President and graduated in three years with a BA in Journalism and a transcript that was the envy of all who saw it.

Becky’s early career was spent working in the newspaper industry. Her first position was as a reporter for the Big Spring Herald. Her career as an educator took her from Big Spring to Orange to Oklahoma City and to Houston. She relocated to Dallas in 1974 with her two sons, Michael and Patrick, and began a career in Public Relations and Communications in Carrollton ISD. She quickly found herself in the same capacity at Highland Park ISD where she was a community pillar and backbone of the prestigious district for 20 years. She excelled in her work while obtaining her Masters degree at the University of North Texas at night. Becky was a legend in the public relations community and was the recipient of hundreds of state and national awards in her career.

While at HPISD she poured herself into the lives of her two boys  providing a nurturing, loving, supportive and encouraging home. Becky was a unique combination of beauty, brilliance and kindness which made her an incredibly winsome personality and was always the “favorite” mom among her son’s friends. Even in the middle of her intense work schedule she always was present for her boys and made many personal sacrifices, both seen and unseen, in such a way that she was totally dedicated to them. Her productivity was legendary and everyone in the district knew if they needed help doing something the right way to “call Becky”. She received the Distinguished Service award from the district in 2012.

Weary of being in a big city, to the shock of almost everyone, she relocated to Bryan, Texas, where she took the position of Communications Director at BISD in 1994. Once again she dedicated her life to her work continuing to thrive.

Becky finished her career working in the same capacity for the City Of College Station. She spent most of her retired life caring for her aging parents in Orange, researching and writing If the Devil Had a Wife, the tale of her family in Orange. Her final years were spent spoiling her six grandchildren and as a loving wife to her husband, Jim Portt. Becky and Jim were a fixture at Round Top and enjoyed traveling, always on the lookout for their beloved Southwest Art and collectibles.  He tenderly cared for her in their 16 years together.

Rebecca, Becky, Mom, Mimi, Aunt Becky. She answered to many names and always treated people from all walks of life with respect, dignity and a polite, easy-going southeast Texas charm that defined her personality.

Becky was preceded in death by her loving parents, her sweet brother-in-law Bill Falcone and her beloved brother Lutcher. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Captain 06 James Portt Public Health Service RET; sons Michael Nugent and wife Dara of College Station; H. Patrick Nugent and wife Lezley of Dallas; six grandchildren: Kyle (Emma), Hayley Rebecca, Katherine Rebecca, Macy, Marshall and Lilly. Also, sisters  Ramona Sands and Rebel Falcone and several beloved nieces and nephews. The family extends their most sincere thanks to the Emergency and Critical Care Units at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the great people at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home, both in Bryan.