Real estate icon Ebby Halliday passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, September 8, 2015. She was 104 years old, and for nearly half of those years, she was a member of Central Christian Church of Dallas.
Ebby Halliday was brought up a Baptist and later became an Episcopalian, “But, it was Maurice who made me a ‘Christian,’” she often joked, referring to her husband, Maurice Acers and her church, Central Christian Church.
Ebby Halliday Acers joined Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on December 19, 1965.
Maurice, as well as his mother, Effie Acers, had been a member of Central since 1915 when the church was still located in downtown Dallas at St. Paul and Patterson Streets. In 1953, the church moved to its current location at 4711 Westside Dr. It was there that Ebby Halliday married Maurice Acers on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1965.
Ebby and Maurice were wed in a small and simple ceremony at 10 a.m. between Easter Sunday services by Central’s pastor, Dr. E.C. Rowand.
Following the ceremony, it was business as usual until the newlyweds could arrange some time off for a honeymoon trip. The couple flew Braniff to Mexico City, a popular destination during the era. Maurice reserved an entire wing at the fashionable Alemeda Hotel for himself and Ebby, as well as a small group of close friends and business associates.
A reporter from “Time Magazine” asked Ebby if she always traveled with such an entourage. “Only on big business deals and honeymoons,” she quipped.
One of Ebby’s favorite maxims was, “Do something good for someone every day.”
She applied this to her spiritual life at Central. Everyone who knew Ebby knew that she loved Central Christian Church. She served as trustee, a member of the board of directors, and as church elder and elder emeritus.
In 1992, Ebby and Maurice donated the glorious pipe organ that graces Central’s altar.
I spoke with Dan Garland of Fort Worth, Texas.who built the organ.
He remembered that Ebby loved music and recognized the importance of music in communicating with God.
“Known as the ‘king of instruments,’ the pipe organ’s versatility can evoke many emotions and acoustically the church’s sanctuary was perfect for housing the instrument,” Dan said. “There is so much variety within an organ; it offers inspirational excellence. Ebby understood that. She was a good steward of the sacred house of worship,” he added.
Ebby loved the church, and in turn, the church loved Ebby.
In 2000, a vegetable garden was installed on the southern edge of the church grounds. It was named Acers Community Garden in honor of Ebby and Maurice. The garden was the largest supplier of fresh produce to North Dallas Shared Ministries for a number of years.
Over time, many friendships developed between Ebby and members of Central’s congregation.
Margaret Wilson, a member of Central since 1953, fondly remembers Ebby.
“We were in the same Sunday school class, the Shank class. Ebby was my friend. She made me feel special. She always commented on what a nice looking couple my husband Jimmy and I made,” Margaret said.
Known around Central as one of the church’s great cooks, Margaret made pralines each year for Ebby’s birthday.
“She loved them,” Margaret recalled. “And at Christmas, Ebby would give us a large bag of pecans.”
Another long time member of Central and friend of Ebby’s is Carolyn Shinn. Carolyn plays the piano during Sunday worship at Central. In fact, the piano she plays once belonged to Effie Acers and was donated to the church by the Acers family.
“Ebby gave me a little book of inspirational proverbs one year. To this day, it remains on the nightstand by my bed.” Carolyn said.
Jo Spalti joined Central in 1949. She and Ebby became good friends.
“Ebby was ‘true blue,’” Jo said. “She helped so many people. She was a ‘people person’ and we loved her.”
Jim Archer is current President of the Board of Directors at Central. He and Ebby were longtime friends.
“Ebby was a very caring person. Benevolent beyond belief, she did so much for so many — especially for women. She was a good friend,” Jim said.
Tyson Woods, a member of Central since 1978, remembers Ebby’s ability to include and support everyone along with her celebrated sense of humor.
“Ebby always made people feel extra special. She was forever young at heart and always supportive of new ideas. I will never forget asking Ebby about her driving when she was well into her 90s. She responded ‘I am doing well but I am having a hard time finding anyone to ride with me.’ Ebby has been an inspiration to thousands of people by the way she lived her life,” Tyson said.
These are only a handful of people at Central whose lives were touched by Ebby Halliday.
She was unable to attend Sunday school and worship services at Central for the last several years due to age and immobility, however, her energy remains a vital part of Central Christian Church and her spirit will continue to live in the church forever.