THOMASVILLE — Most of the sports memorabilia collection of a legendary and now deceased sports fan is being salvaged from a Sunday afternoon fire at 508 E. Jefferson St.

The house was the home of the late Sarah Annie Floyd, who died about three years ago at the age of 95.

“She was a fanatic,” her son Howard Floyd said Monday, describing his mother’s loyalty to Thomasville High School and University of Georgia football.

Floyd’s sister Becky Floyd and her husband, Charles Teachey, lived at the house. Family members had a birthday party there Sunday at noon.

Howard Floyd said he and his wife left the residence after the party and were visiting someone at Archbold Memorial Hospital when they were notified about the fire.

Sports memorabilia signed by players and coaches were among items she had collected.

“She had a lot of that in the house,” her son said.

The blaze was reported Sunday at 2:57 p.m..

Tim Connell, Thomasville Fire/Rescue chief fire marshal, said 90 percent of the sports items is intact and should be salvageable, although some might have water damage. One of the items he recalled seeing is a jersey signed by former UGA football coach Vince Dooley.

Heavy smoke and fire were coming through the roof when firefighters arrived.

“We were digging through this morning,” Connell said. 

A fire pattern is being sought to determine the cause of the blaze.

“We know it appears to begin in the front and the attic area,” the chief fire marshal added.

Floyd said his mother moved into the 112-year-old house in 1976 to live with her mother.

He is thankful everyone escaped from the burning house with no injuries.

“It was somewhat dangerous for them,” Floyd said of the firefighters.

Firefighters entered the house when it was engulfed in flames, he added.

Connell said firefighters had to leave the interior of the house because of the intensity of the blaze.

“Everyone was so impressed with the firefighters,” Floyd said. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820