Nancy Garrison

Nancy Ann Paschal Garrison, 91, died peacefully surrounded by her family on December 14, 2021. Born in Little Rock on April 17, 1930, Nancy was the daughter of Clara King and Roy Gilman Paschal. Born 10 years after her sister, Jane, her parents always told her “you weren’t invited, but we’re sure glad you stayed!”

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Justin Edwin Garrison, sister Jane Paschal Rucker, nephew Reverend David Moore, and twin grandchildren, Bella and Paschal Garrison.

Nancy graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1948 where she was president of her Delta Beta Sigma sorority. She went on to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she met her future husband and was a member of Chi Omega sorority.

Shortly after graduating in 1952, they married and stayed in Dallas where she taught elementary school for 5 years until retiring to raise her own children. They joyfully welcomed their son, Roy Gilman Garrison, who was soon followed by Justin (Gary) Edwin Garrison, Jr after going to the doctor for what she believed was just a bug and being told “yes, it’s a bug, and in 9 months that ‘bug’ is going to call you mama”.

She was a devoted wife and mother who never missed a game, washed endless piles of clothes, and embraced the teasing and banter her boys loved giving at her expense. They enjoyed traveling and, as a young family, made many memorable road trips together exploring the southwest, including Vail, Colorado where Nancy and Justin spent many of their summers in later years. As adults, their sons frequently had the pleasure of their company when they joined in on vacations to Alaska, Europe and the Far East.

They then moved to Ruston, Louisiana where she made lasting friendships as part of the Culture Guild, Wednesday Bridge Club, chapter AO of PEO and an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church and Squire Creek Country Club. After 39 years, they moved back to Little Rock to be closer to family. She soon joined Chapter “W” of PEO and the New Directions Sunday school class at Asbury United Methodist Church.

In addition to her sons, she is survived by her daughter-in-law, who she loved like a daughter, Megan Saer Garrison, niece Ann Moore Barre, sister-in-law Marietta Guiterrez, cousin Mary Ann Woodworth, grandchildren Ashley Pierce (Andy), Holly Clevenger (Austin), Sara Lucas (Kaleb), Jacob, Lucy and Shepherd Garrison and great- grandchildren Jenna and Logan Pierce.

Being “Maw Maw” brought her endless joy. She attended countless dance recitals, sports games and grandparent’s days at school. She loved spoiling them, taking them on trips, having them for sleepovers and most of all, feeding them! Orange juice cake, sausage pinwheels and peach cobbler were just a few of her specialties. She loved nothing more than having her family together around her table.

She lived for her soap operas, her weekly TV guide, her recliner and daily phone calls with family and friends. As she’d always say “whoever invented sitting down knew what they were doing!” She will be fondly remembered for her great sense of humor, listening ear and sound advice, and a smile that could light up a room.

Memorials may be made to Methodist Children’s Home, 103 E Vaughn Ave, Ruston, Louisiana 71270, and New Outlook Cancer Recovery Program, CHI St. Vincent, Little Rock, AR.

A celebration of her life will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Monday, December 20th at 11:30 am