This wonderfully maintained house is among the nicest in Collins and a regional Victorian landmark. Marly Youmans writes: My grandparent’s Queen Anne style home. Built by William Leicester Morris (1869-1955) for his bride, Lila Eugenia Arnold Morris (1883-1968).

I couldn’t resist sharing this excerpt from “The Magnolia Bouqet”, a remembrance by Ms. Youmans. There’s more, but you’ll have to read it on her blog. I think you’ll enjoy her writing.

W. L. Morris (January 10, 1869-September 22, 1955) was born in Washington Country, Georgia; he had a store in Collins, and he built public buildings and residences. The house he constructed for my grandmother is a major site in the world of my imagination and has appeared in a number of my stories. Fig trees, grape arbors, a towering persimmon tree, wonderful porches, raised house pillars, Queen Anne towers and porches, a well on a porch, outbuildings, and many other elements of that magical realm still are places to “go” in my mind.

He and my grandmother had nine children, eight of whom survived to adulthood. They could not have been more surprised by the last baby–my mother, the “miracle child.” W. L. and Lila were old-fashioned pillars of their community, devout people who added a good deal of beauty to the world. They lived creative lives, my grandfather with his house-building and carpentry, my grandmother with her needlework and household arts. Her pantry was a wondrous thing. Their lives were very “dense” and full with labor, creation, gardening, child-rearing, and strong religious belief that gave shape and meaning to all else.