Lowndes County has honored the First Ladies of Georgia by planting ten specially bred camellia bushes, one for each first lady who has resided in the Governor’s Mansion since its opening in 1967. This initiative, led by former First Lady Sandra Deal, adds to a growing collection of tributes and marks the 15th location where these historic bushes have been planted.
The event took place on November 17, 2025, at Valdosta’s Historic Courthouse, a site that has become central to the community’s efforts to celebrate its heritage. The camellias, each cultivated to reflect the unique style and legacy of the respective first ladies, serve as a living tribute to their contributions. The honored first ladies include Virginia Maddox, Betty Foy Sanders, Rosalynn Carter, Mary Beth Busbee, Elizabeth Harris, Shirley Miller, Marie Barnes, Mary Perdue, Sandra Deal, and Marty Kemp.
During the ceremony, Bill Slaughter, the Chairman of the Lowndes County Commission, expressed gratitude for the community’s support, which allowed the reopening of the Historic Courthouse through the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) funds. He stated, “There’s been a lot going on here on the Historical Courthouse over the last couple of years… thanks to the citizens of this community that supported SPLOST.”
Slaughter recognized the dedication of the gardeners and planners involved in the project, assuring the community that the county would care for the camellias, ensuring they thrive and represent the First Ladies of Georgia well. “We’re very honored… we’ll take care of them like they’re ours and love them,” he added.
The history of the camellia tribute dates back to 2015 when the first bush was planted in honor of Betty Foy Sanders. The following years saw the inclusion of additional first ladies, culminating in the recognition of Marty Kemp after her husband, Brian Kemp, assumed the governorship in 2019. As the project expanded, Mark Crawford, owner of Loch Laurel Nursery, collaborated with Deal to ensure that each bush reflected the legacy of its namesake.
Valdosta joins a prestigious list of locations that have honored all ten first ladies, which includes the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, and the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains. The camellias are expected to bloom in early 2026, with some variations in timing.
The ongoing dedication to recognizing the contributions of Georgia’s First Ladies through this botanical initiative underscores a commitment to preserving history and celebrating the impact of these influential women. As more first ladies take residence in the Governor’s Mansion, the tradition of honoring them with camellia bushes will continue, ensuring that their legacies remain vibrant and celebrated within the community.
