FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
Selling Whitehouse for a quarter of a century
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Nancy Duress

Recently, Nancy Duress received an award that marked "25 years of outstanding commitment, dedication and loyalty to the Centur y 21 System." Century 21 Real Estate thinks she's "a keeper" and Whitehouse does too. Not only has Mrs. Duress been selling homes in the East Texas area for those many years, she has been selling Whitehouse.

In 1955, after following her late husband John around as he served in the Air Force, the Duress family made their home in Smith County. Mrs. Duress received her real estate license in 1968 then her broker's license ten years later.

"In real estate work you have to available when a client needs you and that's hard to do with young children," Duress said. So, she took a job in a doctor's office for a few years where the schedule was more set and predictable.

In 1981 there were three Century 21 offices in Tyler. So she looked for an outlying location to open her office. When she came to Whitehouse, her office was located on East Main, next to the old First Baptist Church.

Soon they had outgrown their little office. Mrs. Duress found the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wendy Walker on Hwy. 110 north. It was an excellent location and not much would have to be done to make it a great office.

"What amazes me most is that in those days I could sit at that front desk and look out the window and count the cars as they passed," Mrs. Duress said. "Now days you couldn't possibly do that. We've grown so much!"

While there are other Century 21 offices in Tyler now, none of the ones open in 1981 remain today. Duress has outlasted them all. Century 21 has tried to talk her into relocating to Tyler several times.

"Why would I leave this town and these people," Mrs. Duress said. "Whitehouse is a wonderful place and I wouldn't leave it for anything."

Mrs. Duress has always been very active in her community. She was one of the original organizers and directors of the City National Bank, now known as Regions Bank.

She has been a member of the Tyler Board of Realtors since coming to the area and has even served as president. In 1986 she was honored as Realtor of the Year for Tyler.

She is a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce and served on that board for several years. She has served as president and member of the YesterYear committee.

"Now there's an organization that has grown and developed," Duress said. "We've seen YesterYear really evolve over the years while still staying true to its purpose."

Century 21 Suburban Realty has that same hometown atmosphere that Nancy Duress sells to those looking for a house. It's more than just the brick and mortar. It's what you feel inside.

"Whitehouse, in general, has that feeling. I'm glad we're here!"

This 40-year member of the Friendly Baptist Church of Tyler is not ready to hang up her pass keys just yet. Mrs. Duress said she just signed a 10 year agreement on her franchise.

"I expect to see almost as much change in the next 10 years as I've seen in the past 25," Mrs. Duress said.

"Real estate has been good to me. I enjoy going out and meeting people. I guess I'm not retiring any time soon."

The award inscription reads, "In recognition of your valued contribution." Her contributions to the continued growth and success of Whitehouse and its many endeavors should earn her a few stars in her crown.