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Jamie Praytor
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The third child of ten offspring Jamie has always had a strong sense of family. Growing up at the Loop in Mobile she and her 9 brothers and sisters lived in a 3-bedroom house with 1 bathroom, but they never felt like they were doing without. Her parents Elmer and Susan Catlin installed in her a strong work ethic and the ability to make the most of what you have. Her father was a carpenter by trade and his ability to create something from nothing inspired Jamie to become a success in any endeavor she undertook. After sheparding her flock of ten on their way, her mother, Susan, was not through with kids. She started working with the mentally challenged children and was part of founding the Albert P. Brewer Developmental Center. Giving back to the community became the third corner stone of Jamie’s life. Fresh out of Murphy High School, Jamie went to work as a secretary in the Merchants National Bank building. It wasn’t long before she met a young banker that caught her eye, Tommy Praytor. To say that Tommy enjoyed life would have been an understatement. The pair would soon become inseparable and they married in 1959. Three children would soon follow and after 8 years of being at home with the kids and doing charity work Jamie decided to resume her professional career. She went to work with Gene Duke as a real estate agent and being a realtor helping people make dreams come true for their families was a natural fit. Jamie soon moved from agent to Broker and sales manager hiring and training a 15 member sales team. On August 1, 1974 Jamie opened Praytor Realty with an all female sales staff. While women in the work place are a norm today Jamie’s all female team was definitely unique. Labeled Praytor’s Pretties by the Birmingham News, Praytor Realty soon became mainstream and the now familiar Praytor Daisy started sprouting up in yards all over Mobile. While building her company Jamie was also giving back to the Realtor community. She was elected president of the local Board of Realtors and she soon moved on to become President of the State Association in 1992. Along the way her drive to succeed was balanced with her sense of family and giving back that gained her accolades from her peers and she was chosen Realtor of the Year in 1981. Jamie spread her commitment to giving back inside her company. In the last 25 years, Jamie’s small company has produced 5 Realtor presidents and 4 Realtor’s 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. While building her company Jamie was also breaking new ground as a working Mom. Real estate was a perfect fit for a mom on the go and raising her 3 children, Tommy, Ellen, and Wilson. Tommy followed his Mom into the real estate business but is most well known for his passion for stock car racing. Daughter Ellen graduated from Auburn University with an art degree and is now a Senior Vice President at Lewis Communication. Wilson, the youngest, followed in his grandfather’s foot steps and owns Wilson’s Services, a contracting company. With her children grown, Jamie focused even more energies into giving back. In 2001 She was chosen the First Lady of Mobile. Away form work, Jamie and her husband Tommy developed a love for their beach house on Bare Point and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The pair became fixtures of the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club events. When not working, she can be found spending time with her grandchildren or hosting her family and friends at the Point. Her most recent advocacies are serving as Chairman 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. No commentary on Jamie should leave out her love for and involvement in her church, All Saint’s Episcopal. To honor Jamie's legacy of giving the family request, donations be made to McKemie Place, P. O. Box 9082, Mobile, AL 36691 or All Saints Episcopal Church, 151 S. Ann Street, Mobile, Alabama 36604. Listed below are some of her outstanding achievements:
Praytor Mourns Passing of Marie Crosby A Founding Member of Praytor Realty
Earlier this month Praytor Realty lost one of it’s founding agents, Marie Crosby. Just over 35 years ago Jamie Praytor started her new company with just 4 agents, Marie, Pat Cleveland, Kathryn Dill and Marion McClendon. (Picture top left Praytor Realty’s first open house l-r, Jamie, Marie, Marion and Kathryn) Marie was a part of the team when Jamie moved to Airport Blvd. in 1978 (Picture top right groundbreaking at Airport Blvd, Marie is in the bottom left) and all the way until she retired in 1987. “Marie was something else, a real pistol,” said Tommy Praytor, President of Praytor Realty. “Marie’s contributions in the early days help build Praytor Realty. Most of all I will remember her sharp wit that helped keep a young Realtor from thinking he was too big for his britches.” Ellen Marie Tomlinson Crosby March 15th 1932-September 3rd, 2009, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
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