Ellen Coleman Terry

Ellen Coleman Terry, known to many as ET, was born on June 11, 1939, in Paris, Texas. She passed away peacefully on June 12, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Ellen was a mother, a grandmother, a real estate legend, a mentor, a pioneer for women in business, an advocate for community involvement and an absolute baller of a human.

Ellen's philosophy on life was one of resilience and positivity. She believed that challenges were opportunities for personal growth and that one's mindset determined the outcome of any situation. Ellen lived by the motto that life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it.

In 1981, Ellen founded Ellen Terry, Realtors, a boutique residential real estate company in the Dallas Metroplex known for its dedication to quality and excellence. Her company was later acquired by Ebby Halliday, creating a powerhouse combination of The Best of the Big and The Best of the Boutique. Toward the end of her distinguished career, Ellen joined Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s and later retired in 2016. She was also a respected member of Charter 100, the Dallas Assembly, and the Dallas Citizens Council.

Outside of her successful career, Ellen was involved in various charitable organizations and received several awards for her contributions to the community including, the SMU Distinguished Alumni Award, the Pi Beta Phi Service Award, The Girls, Inc. She Knows Where She Is Going Award, the Texas Women’s Foundation Maura Award and the Pi Beta Phi Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg Crest Award.

Ellen’s personal goal was to always make a difference where she worked and lived, giving back to the community in every way possible. She created the Awareness Hour to help educate parents, teachers and teenagers on alcohol and drug addiction. She founded the Ellen Terry Realtors Ladies Golf Classic benefitting The Genesis Women’s Shelter. And after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she and her family became involved with AWARE Dallas, which is dedicated to fighting Alzheimer’s disease by providing funding and support to programs, projects, and research organizations that actively help individuals affected by Alzheimer’s in Dallas and the greater North Texas area.

Ellen is survived by her children, James Todd Terry and Amy Terry Kriegel; grandchildren, Olivia Kriegel, Austin Terry, Sophia Kriegel, Ella Kriegel, Conner Terry, and Hudson Kriegel; and great-grandchild, Harrison Kriegel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Genesis Women's Shelter (https://www.genesisshelter.org/give-items/) or Aware Dallas, a non-profit dedicated to fighting Alzheimer's disease (https://www.awaredallas.org/donate/).

The Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Visitation Sunday June 23rd 3pm-5pm Sparkman Hillcrest

Memorial Service Monday June 24th 3pm Highland Park United Methodist Church Sanctuary

Rest in peace, Ellen Coleman Terry. Your legacy of strength, positivity, and service to others will always be remembered.