Meet Kayla Brown—a creative fifth-grade teacher at Peachtree City Elementary School and the proud “snake mama” of Roxanne, the beloved rock serpent slithering her way into community hearts.

It all started last summer when Kayla, searching for fun summer projects, stumbled upon the idea of painted rock snakes. Living at the crossroads of two busy cart paths, she figured her yard was the perfect spot to try it out. On June 19th, she placed a single green-painted rock and a sign introducing Roxanne, hoping a few neighbors might join in and help her grow a short, spirited tail.

Fast forward two summers, and Roxanne is a neighborhood icon—stretched out over an entire block, made up of 1,090 hand-painted stones! From flowers and holiday themes to Ninja Turtles, each rock is a mini masterpiece, contributed by neighbors young and old.

“Roxanne has definitely exceeded our family’s expectations,” says Kayla. “She’s never met a stranger and grows a little every month.”

Roxanne even has her own Facebook fan page and continues to spark joy, conversation, and creativity along the path. Walkers often pause to admire her colorful body and chat with other fans—or even with Kayla and her husband Christopher, who lovingly weed, mulch, and maintain Roxanne’s space to keep her thriving.

You can visit Roxanne yourself along the cart path behind Henredon Hill in the Windalier Ridge subdivision—just follow the smiles.

Do you know a Citizen like Kayla? We’d love for you to nominate them for future Citizen of the Week.

Anyone in Fayette or Coweta County can nominate a local resident to be featured. Submissions must include between 100 and 500 words explaining why your nominee deserves the spotlight and a photo of them. (Submissions without a photo cannot be accepted.) Fill out the nomination form here:
👉 https://thecitizen.com/nominate-a-citizen-of-the-week/

Each week, one honoree will be featured in The Citizen, helping us all take a moment to appreciate the people who lift up our community with their generosity, grit, and goodwill.The Citizen of the Week is proudly sponsored by City of Hope® Cancer Center Atlanta, a national leader in cancer research and treatment. With expertise across all cancer types and a commitment to whole-person care, City of Hope recognizes those who strengthen our communities through service, compassion, and resilience.
Learn more at cityofhope.org/atlanta.