Recognitions and Improvements

In recognition of Ms. Jewel’s work, she received the Bronze Medal of Achievement from the Peachtree Garden Club in Atlanta in 1952, and in 1953, the trail earned her the White Ribbon Award from the National Council of State Garden Clubs. Although the Camellia Trail was officially complete in 1952, extending about 400 feet farther to the south and east of where we are now, Ms. Jewel continued to enhance the trail into the 1960s, adding daylilies and replacing diseased camellias. 

When Ms. Jewel and her husband passed in the early 1970s, they left $350,000 in their will to Valdosta State College for trail maintenance and future beautification projects. Irrigation was added in the late 1970s, and in 1984, the concrete walkway and columns at the entrances to the trail were installed.  

The trail has been a treasured pathway for students on campus, just as Ms. Jewel had envisioned. When half of the camellia plants along the trail were destroyed by Hurricane Helene in 2024, a university social media posts announcing the impacts, garnered more engagement, including fond memories of the trail from students and alumni, than all other posts. A restoration effort is underway.  

This tour concludes with the following quote from Ms. Jewel: “As I set each plant, I say a silent prayer that its lovely flowers will bring new interest and joy and happiness to each one who sees them; and they, too, might be inspired to do something to bring joy and sunshine into the life of someone else”.