GAR Inducts Mary V. Nelson into the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame recognizes members of the Georgia Association of Realtors who have demonstrated consistent support of the REALTOR® organization for at least 30 years, and who have had a strong influence in the real estate industry. These individuals set the bar for the Hall of Fame, having proven themselves as champions of the REALTOR® association and captains of industry.
On February 5, 2020, added Mary V. Nelson to this distinguished list of inductees.
Mary V. Nelson has the distinction of being the Georgia Association of Realtors’ first female recipient of the REALTOR of the Year award, and for good reason. After forming Nelson Realty in the 1960s, Mary quickly became involved in the REALTOR association. She served as the DeKalb Board of Realtors President and as President of the MLS. She was a charter member of the Georgia Chapter of the Certified Residential Brokers, and she served as President of the Georgia Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors. Mary is credited to helping establish 13 local chapters during her tenure in Women’s Council. A member of the first graduating class of GRI, Mary went on to serve as an instructor, a governor, and was Dean in 1977-78, instituting the first budget for GRI. DeKalb REALTORS® named an award for her, the Mary Nelson Spirit Award, and the Georgia Association of Realtors has named its Governor’s Award in her honor as well.
Mary passed away on June 10, 1985. Her eldest son, Mike Nelson, and 2 of her 3 grandsons, Dan Nelson and Matt Nelson, all Realtors themselves and executives of Excalibur Homes, LLC, Atlanta’s rental home experts, were present to accept the award on her behalf.
