Longtime local realtor, Lu Farmer, passed away on July 7, 2024, at the age of “almost” 99. She was born in Broadnax, Virginia, the youngest of 13 children to Nannie Jones Pully and Emmit Pully and grew up on a large tobacco and cotton farm where her family were sharecroppers. She came to Chattanooga in 1948 when her husband, Eddie Farmer, was transferred from Richmond, Virginia to the DuPont Plant here.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and 12 siblings. She is survived by her daughter Becky Farmer Browder, son-in-law Coy Browder, and granddaughter, Betsy Browder.
Her early years in Chattanooga revolved around garden club and church activities, volunteering for the Red Bank Christmas parades, and serving as homeroom mother at Red Bank Elementary School. She was an accomplished seamstress and made many of her daughter’s clothes along with custom drapes for her home. She was a member of the Red Bank Baptist Church for over 60 years.
Lu worked for a number of years at ICI America (the old TNT Plant – now Enterprise South) and later began a successful real estate career with Gloria Sutton Realtors and later with Crye-Leike Realtors. She spent almost 40 years in the real estate industry retiring her license at age 93. She was a consistent multi-million producer and won numerous awards for her excellence in sales.
She was one of the first real estate agents to advertise as an individual realtor in the local newspaper and coined the tag line: “Lu Farmer, the Name You Know” on all of her ads and business cards. She was a long-standing member of the Ethics Panel of the Chattanooga Board of Realtors and served on other real estate committees through the years. She said that the success of her business came from the referrals she received from clients and their families. She stayed in touch with many of them through personal Halloween cards and Christmas cards she sent with special hand written notes. Often when passing a house she would remark about having that house listed and who bought it. She never forgot her clients.
She was frequently asked by newer realtors to assist them when they needed a helping hand. She was a mentor to those new to the business. She understood real estate trends and markets and learned to adapt over the years to new technology. When smart phones came out, she was one of the first in her office to buy one and learn to use it. After retiring, she continued to check her email and Facebook account, text friends and family, and order Amazon and QVC using her phone.
The family will meet and greet friends and family from 4 to 6 pm on Wednesday, July 17, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tennessee Humane Animal League Pet Placement Center, 5975 Dayton Blvd., Chattanooga, TN 37415 or www.petplacementcenter.com
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
