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Jamie
Praytor
Tribute Page
Jamie Praytor
Humanitarian Award
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Former Alabama Association of REALTORS® President Jamie Praytor passed away
on November 14, 2008.
On her passing, Henry Ray, also a former President of AAR, had this to say
of Praytor, “Jamie was a true lady who knew the Real Estate business and knew
how to energize the people who were involved in it. She was a real positive and
uplifting person; her cup was always full.”
Former AAR President Howard Garrison said, “Jamie was a compassionate,
strong and fair leader for AAR. She cared about our organization as much as
anyone I’ve ever met. Ashley and I will miss her dearly, as the entire AAR
family will miss her. God bless you sweet Jamie we all love you”.
J. Danny Cooper, AAR’s Executive Vice President remembered Praytor. “Jamie
led by example; giving first, volunteering first; reaching goals first and
always, always smiling. In Alabama and throughout NAR, Jamie was effective,
respected and admired. My favorite image of Jamie is seeing her open the state
convention in Mobile riding a large elephant followed by 23 other elephants into
the Three Ring Circus to the cheers of Alabama REALTORS® and hundreds of foster
children who had been invited as her special guests.
The third child of 10 offspring, Praytor always had a strong sense of
family. Growing up with nine brothers and a family instilled strong work ethic.
She admired her father’s ability as a carpenter to create something from
nothing, and it inspired Jamie to become a success in any endeavor she
undertook.
Praytor graduated from Murphy High School, and married Tommy Praytor in
1959. Three children, and 8 years later, Praytor began her professional career
as a REALTOR® and soon became a Broker, hiring and training a 15 member sales
team.
By 1974, Praytor had opened Praytor Realty with an all female sales staff.
She was elected president of the local Board of REALTORS® and was chosen AAR
REALTOR® of the Year in 1981, before she became President of the State
Association in 1992. In the last 25 years, Jamie’s small company has produced
five REALTOR® presidents and four REALTORS® of the Year. In 2008, the Mobile
Association of REALTORS® honored Jamie’s commitment to others by creating the
Jamie C. Praytor Community Service Award.
In 2001, she was chosen the First Lady of Mobile. Her most recent advocacies
were serving as Chair of the Homeless Coalition Task Force to end chronic
homelessness, involvement with the Salvation Army and construction of a new
women’s and children’s shelter, McKemie Place and fund raising for the American
Diabetes Association.
Praytor was celebrated by many for her dedication and commitment to
volunteer and community service, including being a lifelong member of All Saints
Episcopal Church, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® - Region V - Trustee,
Appointed by Governor of Alabama to serve on Alabama Development Office Advisory
Board, a Board Member of the Art Patrons League, Allied Arts Council, Mobile
United - Member of Cultural Diversity Committee, Alabama School of Math and
Science - Advisory Board Member, Junior Achievement President, City of Mobile
Mayor’s Special Panel to Study Funding for Mobile County Schools, University of
South Alabama - Small Business Development Center - Advisory Board, Leadership
Class of 2000 for Multiple Sclerosis, Mobile 2000 - Board of Directors,
Leadership Mobile - Advisory Council on Economic Development, Southwest Alabama
Chapter March of Dimes - Board of Directors, American Cancer Society, Florence
Crittenton Home Auxiliary Board, Board of Partnership for a Drug Free America,
Salvation Army - Board of Directors, Mobile Community Organization - Advisory
Board, Rotary International - Mobile Sunrise Rotary Club - Past President and
Secretary, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce - Executive Committee.
Praytor’s NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® accomplishment list includes:
National Association of Director, Member, Structural Audit committee:
Sub-committee on Governance, Member, Issues Mobilization: Regional
Representative District V, Member, ARPAC Fundraising and Participation: ARPAC
Training Conference, Washington, Member, Political Affairs Committee:
Sub-committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Member, Make America Better
Committee, Member, Strategic Planning Committee, Legislative Committee Member r,
Omega Tau Rho Member, Political Education Fundraising Committee Member, Public
Policy Coordinating Committee Member, and the Independent Expenditures
Committee.
At the same time, Praytor volunteered for the Alabama state Association of
REALTORS® as a Member of the Board of Directors, 1991 President and subsequent
positions leading to the presidency, was an active member on the Audit
Committee, Finance Committee, Political Affairs Sub-committee, Education
Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Convention Committee, Past Presidents
Forum, Real Estate Appraisal Committee, Professional Standards Committee,
Resolutions Committee, Salesmanship Conference, ARPAC Multi-Life Member, and
REALTOR® Support Committee.
She held many positions as a volunteer for her local Mobile Area Association
of REALTORS® including 1986 President and subsequent positions and committee
assignments leading up to the presidency and then became very active in the
Women’s Council of REALTORS® dedicated to helping the REALTOR Community as the
President, National Delegate, Ways and Means, Education Committee, Nominating
Committee, and Membership committees for WCR, and was ultimately voted 1981 WCR
Woman of the Year.
A very unique activity she will be remembered for at AAR is organizing the
first ARPAC phone drive and being instrumental in forming the Political Action
Committee on the State and Local level. During term as State ARPAC Chair, she
fostered the adoption of equalized goal setting and a wr itten Rebate Program
for local boards.
Many REALTORS® were touched by Praytor’s spirit, dedication and fortitude.
Mobile will be forever changed by her grace and life’s work. All who knew her
and those who only knew of her have been touched in a special and distinctive
way… and that doesn’t happen often.
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