Members of the Chipley Garden Club took time Friday morning to honor Vonceil Coggin and the late Lyndal Pleas by planting two Natchez crepe myrtles by the train depot in Historic Downtown Chipley.
Family members and friends of both women were on hand for the ceremony that took place Friday on Florida’s Arbor Day.
Chipley Garden Club President Debbi Mitchell welcomed those in attendance and noted they were honoring “two very different women with a common sensibility.”
Describing Vonceil Coggin as a quiet, reserved lady who brightens the day with her smile and sweet voice, Mitchell went on to describe Lyndal Pleas as “a live wire personality who made every garden club meeting seem like a party”.
The club president went on to say both women loved the Chipley Garden Club.
“For many years, Miss Vonceil supported the Kate Smith Elementary School Youth Program by providing the students with lessons in dried and live floral design, and shared her skills with the students until 2015,” said Mitchell. “We continue that program today, and have expanded it to include dish gardens and terrariums. It is estimated that over 4,000 plants have been provided to the students, with nearly 10,000 total arrangements being created over the years,” she added before noting “In a town this size, that is an impressive number.”
Pointing out that “Lyndal Pleas left us far too soon,” Mitchell described Pleas as having a quick wit, a ready smile, a tremendous gift for working with plants and people, and a unique fashion sense. Mitchell then went on to add, “Lyndal was always up for a road trip or garden tour and would take on any project. She and I once spent a Sunday afternoon decorating the lampposts in downtown Chipley with cornstalks and sunflowers, and I still hear compliments about that to this day.”
