Martha D. Carlson

Born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1918, raised in Dallas, Martha Deniger Carlson lived an historic and groundbreaking life. She recently passed at the age of 101. A smart, successful and determined lady, she graduated from Highland Park High School in 1936, and later attended SMU where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She married Maurice I. Carlson and was the mother of two daughters and five grandsons.

In 1951, she entered the real estate business and soon established Martha Carlson Realtors. At that time, the residential real estate profession was dominated by men. Martha was one of the first women to successfully enter the field. Martha Carlson Realtors became a premier real estate firm in Dallas. She was one of the first women Directors of the Dallas Board of Realtors. She served on their education committee, established their library, served on their MLS committees, and was the first woman to be invited to join the Dallas chapter of the Society of Residential Appraisers. She was the first woman to be elected as a Director. She served on the Dallas County Grand Jury, Dallas County Appraisal Board, Dallas Historical Society, planning committee for the Sixth Floor Museum and several committees for the City of University Park. Though she was not one to notice the path she created, she opened the door for many women to follow with fewer obstacles. Though a lifelong Republican, she was also an astute study of all politics. She attended numerous inaugurations of U.S. Presidents, both Republican and Democrat.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mildred Southgate and William Deniger, brother Bill Deniger, husband, and daughter Martha Ann Carlson. She is survived by daughter Betty Crain (Mike Crain) and five grandsons: David, Robert, John, Billy and Jimmy Crain, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at Sparkman/Hillcrest on Friday, 10/25/2019, 11:00AM, Reverend Billy Crain officiating.