Lowndes County has celebrated the legacy of Georgia’s First Ladies by planting ten specially bred camellia bushes. This tribute, which honors each first lady who has resided in the Governor’s Mansion since it opened in 1967, was unveiled at a ceremony held at the Historic Courthouse in Valdosta on November 17, 2025.
The initiative is part of a broader effort led by former First Lady Sandra Deal and the Tifton Garden Club. Together, they aimed to cultivate a unique camellia for each first lady, reflecting their individual styles and contributions. The bushes pay homage to notable figures including Virginia Maddox, Betty Foy Sanders, Rosalynn Carter, and current First Lady Marty Kemp, making a total of ten honored individuals.
Several prominent community leaders attended the event, including County Commission Chairman At-Large Bill Slaughter, Lowndes County Manager Paige Dukes, and Mayor Scott Matheson. Slaughter commenced his remarks by expressing gratitude for the community’s support in revitalizing the Historic Courthouse, funded through the county’s special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST).
“There’s been a lot going on here on the Historical Courthouse over the last couple of years,” Slaughter stated. “We finally got this building opened back up thanks to the citizens of this community that supported SPLOST, which provides the revenue to redo the courthouse.” He emphasized the importance of community collaboration in bringing the tribute to fruition, acknowledging the gardeners and planners involved.
The planted camellias are not only a symbol of honor but also a commitment to their upkeep. “We’re very honored, we’re very appreciative, we’ll take care of them like they’re ours and love them,” Slaughter remarked. “They will flourish and grow and bloom and really represent the First Ladies of the State of Georgia just as good as they can possibly be represented.”
The history behind these camellias is rooted in the tradition of recognizing the contributions of Georgia’s First Ladies. Mark Crawford, owner of Loch Laurel Nursery, explained that the first memorial camellia was named for Betty Foy Sanders, who served as First Lady in 1965. Subsequent camellias were dedicated to Sandra Deal in 2015 and Rosalynn Carter in 2017.
The initiative began after a garden party hosted at the Governor’s Mansion, where the first three camellias were planted. Following this event, Sandra Deal proposed expanding the tribute to include all previous First Ladies who had lived in the mansion. The addition of Marty Kemp brought the total to ten camellias.
Valdosta joins a list of notable locations honoring Georgia’s First Ladies, including the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, and the Atlanta History Center, among others. These sites collectively recognize the contributions of First Ladies throughout Georgia’s history.
The new camellias are expected to bloom by early 2026, although blooming times may vary. As new first ladies take on the role, the tradition of honoring them with camellias will continue, ensuring that their legacies remain a vibrant part of Georgia’s heritage.