DALLAS -- Dallas native and real estate icon Ebby Halliday Acers has died at the age of 104.
Colleagues confirmed to News 8 Wednesday that Halliday died of natural causes Tuesday night. At Ebby Halliday Realtors corporate headquarters in far North Dallas, the management team gathered employees in a room and shared the news before the start of the work day Wednesday morning.
Mary Frances Burleson, President and CEO of Ebby Halliday Realtors, showed reporters around Halliday's office. The walls were covered with numerous awards she received for her work in real estate and as a philanthropist. Burleson said she was Halliday's office mate during the company's early years. Halliday was both a close friend and mentor to her.
"She was my graduate school, as she has been for hundreds of people," Burleson said. "We will never know how many thousands of people she has touched, both men and women."
Burleson said women who worked for Halliday never encountered the "glass ceiling" in business. They were able to reach their full potential.
"Ebby set the pace," she said. "Big footprints in the sand and we are obligated to follow in her footprints."
Tributes to Halliday poured in as news of her death circulated Wednesday.
"Laura and I are saddened to learn of the loss of one of Dallas' great ladies," President George W. Bush said in a written statement. "Ebby set a marvelous example for generations of citizens — not only as a successful businesswoman, but a compassionate soul. Dallas will always be grateful for Ebby's strong support of worthy causes in our community, and we will miss her sweet spirit."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted: "God rest the soul of Ebby Halliday, Dallas Real Estate Icon & true Texas jewel."
"Her impact on this city cannot be overstated," Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said. "I will miss her."
Halliday was born Vera Lucille Koch in Arkansas in 1911, but later changed her name.
According to a memorial on the Ebby Halliday Realtors website, she was "admired worldwide for her ability to combine leadership with femininity and business acumen. Her impact on the residential real estate industry was unmatched. Over the years, Ebby opened the doors to successful careers for thousands of people; in particular for women at a time when opportunities were limited."
Ebby Halliday Realtors has been in business for more than 60 years and "has become one of the largest and best-known privately owned residential Dallas real estate firms in the country," according to its website.
The company's inventory in 1945 began with 52 homes on the old Walnut Hill Golf Course in North Dallas. The company's growth has been attributed to Halliday and her commitment to community service.
"She has been honored with practically every industry and business award given, including the Horatio Alger Award in 2005. However, one of her fondest memories was, at age 97, being named honorary chair of NAR's 100th anniversary Gala Black Tie Dinner in May 2008," the company said on its website.
Go here to read more of our stories about Ebby Halliday, and click through our slideshow below to see her life in photographs.
