MOULTRIE — Pearl Collins, a resident at Legacy Village at Park Regency, celebrated her 107th birthday on Dec. 24. Legacy Village at Park Regency held an event in her honor Dec. 21.

“Ms. Pearl” was born in Valdosta to a farming family. Her parents, two brothers, and sister were her world as she grew up in the country, but she was able to complete all K-12th grades at Clyattville School. She recalls attending church only once a month as their minister was rotated between different churches in the area.

One of her earliest memories was singing in front of her church when she was five years old, but she also recalls washing clothes on a rub board with homemade soap from hog cracklings. She remembers having to take castor oil whenever she was sick, and she remembers when her family got their first radio. Her favorite present as a child was a big doll, which she adored. But her happiest memories consist of her marriage to Henry Collins and the births of her children. She loves her family.

Collins said she never imaged living this long, but she attributes her long life to eating mostly fruits and vegetables. She never cared very much for meat, and she grew up eating off the land.