Celebrating Resident, Pearl Collins', 109th Birthday with Parade
Moultrie, Ga. (Dec. 2025) — Pearl Collins celebrates her 109th birthday on December 24th as Legacy Village of Park Regency’s oldest resident. In honor of this monumental birthday, Legacy Village and the Moultrie Chamber of Commerce will host a parade on December 16th from 2-3pm. The parade will be at Legacy Village of Park Regency and will be open to the public.
When Ms. Pearl reflects on her life and upbringing, she remembers the joyful simplicity of her life. Ms. Pearl was born in 1916 in Valdosta, Ga., to Eddie and Chason Lineberger. With no nearby neighbors, her farming family was her entire world. She was the youngest of four children and recalls being shielded from most farm chores, but not from her mother’s firm hand. “Mama was the disciplinarian, not daddy,” Ms. Pearl said with a laugh.
Her family raised corn, peanuts and some cotton. Hogs, cows, and chickens rounded out their menagerie and the garden yielded beans, okra, peas, strawberries and sweet potatoes. Looking back, Pearl recalls that her family wasn’t much affected by the Great Depression because they had what they needed right there on the farm.
Ms. Collins has always had a special admiration for music. She adored singing in the front pew of her church at the age of five. Other fond memories include washing clothes on a rub board using homemade lye soap to try and scrub the stains from her father’s and brothers’ white shirts; playing “jump board” at recess—a seesaw-like setup; playing with her baby dolls and the large dollhouse that her closest brother, R.T. made for her. She is proud to have completed her K-12 education at Clyattville School.
Her happiest memories revolve around her marriage to Henry Collins and the joy of raising their three children, Bonnie, Henry and Rita. Henry’s career as a Sergeant took them from Indiana, to Colorado, to North Carolina, and eventually overseas to both Germany and Japan. In every place, Pearl made their house a true home, welcoming not only her children but also their friends, and ensuring each visitor felt like family. She cherished time spent outdoors, encouraging her children to explore nature and teaching them about the world around them, no matter where they’d landed. After Henry’s service ended, the family returned to Valdosta. When Henry died at just 49, Ms. Pearl found herself bearing the full weight of parenthood and her responsibilities didn’t end as her children grew. She held them all close, guiding and supporting each of them through every challenge that followed. “Faith is what got us through,” she states.
Ms. Pearl joined the family at Legacy Village in 2019, at the age of 102, when her late daughter, Bonnie, convinced her to move in with her, and she has been a beloved presence ever since.
“Pearl’s humility is constant. Her love for others and for life is contagious. We are so blessed to have her as a part of the Legacy Village family. We wish her the happiest birthday as she celebrates this milestone birthday this year,” said Keesha McKnight, Executive Director of Legacy Village.
Never expecting to live this long, she attributes her longevity to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, having grown up eating from the land and never having much fondness for meat. When asked about her favorite part of living at Legacy Village at Park Regency, Ms. Pearl says she loves the staff, the arts and crafts, and of course, Bingo! Ms. Pearl is certainly a gentle heart but a force to be reckoned with!
COMMUNITY DETAILS
Situated at 3000 Veterans Parkway, on 11 beautiful acres, Legacy Village at Park Regency provides a secure, attentive, homelike atmosphere while offering a full range of helpful services to those looking for a senior living community in Colquitt County, Ga. The assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care facility in Moultrie, Ga. is among the region’s most innovative.
The community offers meaningful activities and life enrichment programs to enhance the lives of each resident. More information is available at (229) 890-3342 or legacymoultrie.net.
Legacy Village at Park Regency is a part of Legacy Senior Living, a family-owned, faith-based company with an executive team that has more than 150 combined years of experience in the senior living industry. Legacy Senior Living strives to serve the Greatest Generation with honor, respect, faith and integrity. More information is available at legacysl.net or by calling (423) 478-8071.
