Patricia Collins recently celebrated her 50th anniversary of serving Callaway Gardens.
 
To mark the occasion, a small group gathered with Collins at The Gardens Restaurant on a beautiful Spring day, including her husband of nearly 50 years retired Minister Mabry Collins.  Prior to the meal, Mabry gave a heartfelt blessing over the food in which he thanked God for creating the first garden for Adam and Eve and later creating Callaway Gardens in which He placed both he and Patricia so that they could meet.  It was Gardens’ co-founder Virginia Callaway who introduced her young minister to the young intern many years ago.
 
Collins started her career at Callaway Gardens as the first female horticulture intern.  Over the years she worked in both the horticulture and education departments.  Since the Fall of 2010, she has served as director of gardens.
 
As part of her duties, Collins continues her responsibilities as director of education.  Working in a public garden, Collins is able to touch the lives of more than 50,000 guests annually who may participate in workshops, programs, and symposia on a variety of horticultural, natural history, photography, art, and wildlife topics.  According to APGA definition ‘public gardens are becoming vital to people's appreciation and understanding of the irreplaceable value of plants.’
 
Collins also manages the volunteer program that she conceived and initiated in 1985. The program currently has nearly 300 volunteers that provide assistance in managing the Gardens in a variety of ways including weeding, greeting guests, answering guest questions, and stuffing envelopes.
 
Callaway Gardens’ President and CEO William “Bill” R. Doyle III, said to Collins at the luncheon, “Your knowledge and commitment to Callaway Gardens and connection to the history is so appreciated.  I sleep better at night knowing that you are here to help direct future endeavors.”
 
She also continues to represent the Gardens within the horticultural/public gardens sector. In addition, Collins often represents Callaway Gardens by way of local, regional, and national radio and television appearances as well as in interviews with newspapers and magazines.