In the heart of Kingston, two remarkable women have spent a lifetime nurturing a friendship that began even before they took their first breaths. Nadine Garrison, 87, and Patricia “Bitsy” Jean Lasiter, 85, have been inseparable since childhood, their lives interwoven in a tapestry of shared memories, laughter, and love.
Their bond can be traced back to the very beginning— when Bitsy was born at home with the assistance of Dr. Holland and two midwives, one of whom was Garrison’s grandmother. As fate would have it, Garrison was there, alongside her grandmother, setting the stage for an extraordinary friendship that would flourish throughout their lives.
Growing up as neighbors in the same Kingston neighborhood, Garrison and Lasiter created a treasure trove of memories. They fondly recalled their Sunday church outings, often accompanied by Lasiter’s mother, affectionately known as Pinky, or Garrison’s father, who humorously insisted on sitting between the girls to keep them from chatting during the service.
“I don’t know why he would say a thing like that!” they chuckled, their laughter echoing through the years.
The duo was often joined by Garrison’s younger brother, Howard, who, though quiet, embraced the adventures that came with their childhood escapades. From playing basketball in high school—where Garrison shone on the court while Lasiter dutifully carried the balls—to sharing stories of celebrity sightings, including the unforgettable moment when Garrison spotted Elvis in his pink Chevy while working as a carhop at Winky’s, their lives were rich with experiences.
Lasiter, too, carved her path,workingasawaitressat the localcCafé out at Catfish Bay. Together, they reminisced about their favorite pastime: catching movies at the two theaters on the square in Madill or the drivein theater,wheretheypacked as many friends as possible into a single car for a dollar Nadine gifted Bitsy her famous mudpie on her 80th birthday.
on special nights.
Life took them on different journeys after high school. Garrison married Roy Garrison on June 11, 1954, and later returned to complete her GED alongside her daughter. Lasiter married Bill Catron on June 12, 1958, before moving to Texas. Each woman raised a family filled with love; Garrison blessedly welcomed two children— Larry Garrison and
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Cloyce Looney—and boasts six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild, with one more on the way, while Lasiter has one daughter, Teresa Kanimaya, and a fur grandbaby.
Though both husbands have since passed—Roy in 2005 and Bill in 2014—the enduring friendship between Garrison and Lasiter has only grown stronger. In a beautiful twist of fate, both womenreturnedtoKingston, settlinginthesameneighborhood they once called home. Lasiter even resides in the house where she grew up, surrounded by the echoes of their shared past.
Theirfamilieshavealways been close-knit, often considering each other as family members. A heartwarming testament to their bond came on Lasiter’s 80th birthday when Garrison brought back a classic childhood treat—a mud pie she used to make for her dear friend.
Despite the years and miles that once separated them, the two have remained connected, reuniting every May for Kingston’s Alumni event. Now, their daily phone calls are filled with endearing nostalgia, as they still call each other by their maiden names, just like they did when they were little girls.
As Garrison and Lasiter continue to share their stories, laughter and love, they serve as a beautiful reminder of the power of friendship, proving that some bonds can withstand the test of time and remain unbreakable, no matter the circumstances. Their journey together is an inspiring tale of love, resilience and the joy that comes from a lifelong connection.