Becky Holland
AMERICUS
July 30, 2008 11:36 pm
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In the middle of a rainy Saturday afternoon, Broadus Willoughby sits at a table at a local restaurant. His wife Lib is next to him. On either side of them are a group of ladies, varying in age and background. All have gathered due to a common bond, and that bond is Isabelle Collins.
Collins, a long time resident of Americus, is absent, because; as Ginny Powell said, “We kind of wanted to surprise her,” with a tribute. According to the group, Isabelle Collins probably would not tell her own story, as she is very humble.
Broadus Willoughby’s eyes widen, “This is a ladies’ story, but I will tell you that Isabelle Collins is a,” he paused.
Southern lady? He pondered.
A Southern lady with a twist? Willoughby nodded, “Yes, if you add the twist to it.”
The reason behind the surprise is simple as Powell declared that Isabelle Collins, who will turn four score and seven years in September, “everyone wants to be like Isabelle.”
Helen Hicks, who has known Collins for around 45 years, said, “Isabelle is a wonderful friend, and is so enthusiastic, especially about golf.”
She loves to play golf, and according to Powell, “She won’t let anyone carry her clubs.”
Broadus Willoughby said, “Not even her husband touched her stuff.”
Collins shot her age on the golf course recently, and that, according to her pals, is a first.
A big fan of golfer Phil Mickelson, because “he is a lefty like she is,” said Powell, Isabelle is also a fan of football’s Payton brothers.
Collins, who’s husband Harold was a former pastor of Americus’ First Baptist Church, “has never had a bad day,” said Ginny Powell.
“Most tennis and golf players can be irritable, but not Isabelle. I have never heard her say anything negative about anyone,” Powell said.
Gayle Stembridge was a college student when Isabelle Collins and her husband served at First Baptist Church. “I have only played golf with her for about 10 years. I have never seen her discouraged. She is a very spiritual lady.”
Jane Hall said, “Isabelle Collins is an amazing woman in all that she does from almost being the oldest woman in our senior golf group to traveling whenever a trip appears in the future.”
“She has been everywhere,” Stembridge said.
Hall continued, “I don’t think Isabelle realizes how many people love her for what she is and represents.”
“I have golfed with her for several years and am amazed at each time we play. She is very gracious with her playing partners,” said Hall, adding, “I am a transplant from the north, and that never bothered Miss Isabelle.”
“I tell all my friends and family about how truly she is a great Southern lady. She even talked me into enjoying a chick-fil-a breakfast before playing golf,” Hall laughed.
“Do you remember the time when we were playing in the tournament,” asked one of the ladies.
“And the lady talked about the preacher’s wife?” Another said.
Gayle Stembridge said, “We were playing in a senior women’s golf tournament, and Isabelle was within a foursome with a lady who, well, was not of Christ. She really cut loose with her language, and talked about a preacher’s wife playing. Later on during the day, someone asked Isabelle about herself, and she said, ‘I am the preacher’s wife’ and just went on playing.”
Laughing, Gwen Creswell, who has been Collins’ golf partner for a number of years, said, “Isabelle is always ready to go.”
Creswell has benefited from being Collins’ “official roommate. She snores a little but hasn’t kept me awake.”
In fact, Creswell said, “She is my hero.”
Anne Dorman agreed, “I don’t play golf, but I have known Isabelle for about 10 years. We play cards together.”
“What tickles me the most about her is that she has two cars — one that she calls her young car, and another which is her adult car,” Dorman said.
Ginny Powell nodded, “When I grow up, I want to be like Isabelle.”
“I have known her for about nine years. She beats me at golf. She is a real lady.”
Lib Willoughby, who’s known Isabelle for around 40 years, plays golf with Isabelle and Isabelle travels with the Willoughbys.
“In the early 1970s, a group of four couples from Americus started going to Lake Tox-A-Way in North Carolina. We found a beautiful little mountain golf course that at the time had not been discovered by many. We would stay a week and play,” said Lib Willoughby.
“I remember one time when we were playing, our foursome of ladies came to a tee where the play had backed up for a time. There were four men waiting to tee off,” she said, adding, ”And Isabelle immediately recognized one of the group as the former mayor of Atlanta. She had never been introduced to him. She went up, and said ‘Pardon me, but aren’t you, Ivan Allen? He told her he was. She was momentarily speechless, then she responded, ‘Well, Hi, do!’”
“That is just how she is,”Stembridge said, “she stands up for what is right and never falls from it.”
“There is a story that Isabelle went on a trip to Alaska,” Stembridge said, and Creswell added, “And no one could keep up with her.”
“She has such a zest for life,” said Hicks.
“Isabelle Collins is, well, you can’t describe her,” said Powell.
No one wants to be like Michael Jordan anymore, but everyone, according to Stembridge “wants to be like Isabelle.”
And if her friends and neighbors are right, everyone should want to be like Isabelle Collins.
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