Volunteer leader had game-changing impact on direction of association, industry issues
Theodora “Teddy” Goodson, a longtime resident of Fairfax, passed away on Sunday July 27 in Houston, Texas with her son by her side. She was 83 years old.
Goodson’s loyalty to her colleagues, family friends, NVAR and the real estate industry are her part of her rich legacy.
Active in real estate since 1967, Goodson was a warrior for what she thought was right. When it came to politics and real estate, her passion was unrivaled. “Personally, I most enjoyed how Teddy never minced words,” said fellow Realtor® Zinta Rodgers-Rickert. “She had her opinions, understood her reasons and furthermore was always able to explain her point to others.”
“She had her opinions, understood her reasons and furthermore was always able to explain her point to others.”
Goodson was known for her subtle humor, one that longtime friend and colleague Pamela “Pam” Mc Coach cites as “Teddyisms.” Believing that Realtors® work hard for what they earn, she would say, “If you want to do volunteer work, then go to Fairfax Hospital,” Pam recalled.
Her instincts for right and wrong – for politics, for business, for family – made her an activist. A renegade, she was almost statesman-like about her points of view, especially when she thought she could make a difference.
“We had to agree to have a truce not to talk politics when we were at a restaurant,” said her son Derrill “Mel” Goodson, recalling how adamant his mother was when they debated, heatedly, the issues of the day. “Mom, you are a force of nature,” he would tell her.
Goodson had some game-changing decisions to make in the interest of her local association. “Her leadership played a significant role in helping to improve the financial health, growth and future direction of NVAR,” said Pam.
Reflecting on NVAR’s deep financial problems during the 1980s, Goodson has said “I was afraid we were going to go out of business because things were such a mess.” In 1989, NVAR President Goodson presided over a structural audit and the search committee that selected NVAR CEO Christine Todd to lead the struggling association.
"Teddy was one in a million,” said Christine Todd. “She meant the world to me both personally and professionally.” Her political prowess and understanding about relevant issues was impressive, according to NVAR Senior Vice President Mary Beth Coya. “In 1987, Teddy and Pam McCoach led a fight against a 1 percent transfer tax on the sale of real estate,” Coya said. “It was the most amazing issues campaign I have ever seen, resulting in 28,000 letters to legislators opposing the tax.
“That effort, of which Teddy was a huge part, set the stage for NVAR to be viewed as a powerful lobbying organization,” she said. In 1981, Teddy was NVAR Sales Associate of the Year. She was elected NVAR President in 1989, selected as NVAR Realtor® of the Year in 1990, named to NVAR’s Hall of Fame in 1993, and tapped as the 2004 NVAR Honorary Life Member.
At the state level, Teddy is a member of the Virginia Association of Realtors® Honor Society and the Hall of Fame. At the national level, Teddy served as a National Association of Realtors® director in 2006, was named Omega Tau Rho honoree and achieved Realtor® Emeritus Status.
Goodson was named one of Fairfax City’s Outstanding Citizens and was the founder of the Friends of Fairfax City. Active in the political process for years, Teddy was awarded the Fred Silverthorne Community Service Award in 2011 by the City of Fairfax Democratic Committee, its highest award.
After graduating from the University of Arizona, Goodson completed graduate work at Georgetown University and the University of Michigan. She married Allen McLane Goodson in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where her husband was stationed in the 82nd Airborne Division. He achieved the rank of Brigadier General and predeceased her in 2013. She is survived by her son Derrill Goodson, and cousins.