Mary Call Darby Collins
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Mary Call Darby Collins (September 11, 1911-) the widow of Governor LeRoy Collins and First Lady of Florida from 1955-1961.
Mary Call was born in New York City, New York, the only child and daughter of Thomas Arthur Darby and Jane Kirkman Brevard. Brevard being the daughter of Theodore Washington Brevard Jr. and Mary Laura Call. Mary Laura Call was the daughter of Richard Keith Call, 3rd and 5th territorial governor of Florida and Mary Letitia Kirkman.
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[edit] Early years
Mary Call was born in New York because her father had business interests there. However, concerned for her health in the harsh northern winters, Jane Darby and Mary moved to Tallahassee and the Brevard family home of her maternal grandmother, Mary Call Brevard, and her Aunt Caroline on Monroe Street. Thomas Darby visited his wife and daughter often and planned to establish a home for them in Tallahassee when circumstances permitted him to leave New York.
Taradgedy struck at age 9 for Mary Call with the death of her best friend and first cousin, Cora, from a fall from a tree. In 1920 both Mary Call Brevard and Aunt Caroline died from the influenza epidemic.
In 1923, Thomas Darby was found dead in his New York hotel room at age 66. His business partner then took the proceeds of their successful business and boarded a ship for Europe. The ship was lost at sea with all hands.
Mary went on to attend Leon High School and appeared as “The Fairy Queen” in a 1916 May Party picture in the history book. Mary would also meet Thomas LeRoy or "Roy" Collins whom she would eventually marry. Mary went on to Florida State College for Women but temporarily withdrew in order to help take care of her mother who was ill with cancer. In February 1932, Jane Brevard Darby died at the age of 64. Mary moved in with Uncle Ephraim and Aunt Bess Brevard. On June 29, 1932 Mary married LeRoy Collins at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tallahassee. Mary Call returned to college and graduated.
In 1942, a life long dream of Mary's came true when the The Grove Plantation, her great- grandfather's home, passed into her hands.
[edit] Children and grandchildren
LeRoy and Mary Call Collins had 4 children: Roy Jr., Jane Aurell, Mary Call Proctor and Darby Collins and 12 grandchildren.
[edit] Mary Call Darby Collins Award
The Mary Call Darby Collins Award, one of three historic preservation aards from the Florida Secretary of State's office is presented to a volunteer who has forever changed the course of historic preservation.
