For the people who worked with her, Peggy Byrd was more than just a co-worker. She was more than just a peer. She was an indelible influence on how one should live their life.

“She was one of the most uplifting, spirit-filled, optimistic lovers of life,” Billy Chorey told a small gathering of Byrd’s friends and family members at the Hilton Garden Inn on Wednesday morning. “I was blessed to be with her for the years I worked with her.”

Byrd was a beloved realtor in the city of Suffolk before she passed away Jan. 19.

Throughout her career, she was an associate at SH Real Estate, Hampton Roads Properties, Tidewater Properties Ltd. and Chorey & Associates Realty Ltd., where Chorey said Byrd was the example of what a realtor should be.

“Peggy Byrd was a professional of professionals,” he said. “She was the epitome of professionalism and ethics.”

Byrd served as the president of the Suffolk-Franklin Board of Realtors and the Hampton Roads Realtors Association. She was also a two-time Realtor of the Year award winner and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for real estate in 2005.

But Byrd was more than just her work, according to those who knew her. Delegate S. Chris Jones recalled Byrd’s advice to him more than two decades ago, when he was considering his first political race.

“She said, ‘You can do this. You just have to put your mind to it,’” Jones said. “I have never forgotten that. We, in life, don’t realize all the ways we can impact people.”

Jones called himself “one of her boys.”

“I consider myself lucky to be that,” Jones said. “She was a very special person to me. You could not help but see the Lord in her. (Byrd’s spirit) touched me like it touched many people who knew her.”

For all that she gave the city — both professionally and through her community service efforts — Jones sponsored House Joint Resolution 1038, a proclamation celebrating the life of Peggy Brown Byrd. The Virginia House of Delegates accepted the resolution on Feb. 26, and the Senate did so as well on Feb. 28.

The proclamation stated that Byrd will be “fondly remembered for her tremendous ability to connect with others and for her strong commitment to her family, friends, and profession.”

On Wednesday morning, Jones presented the framed proclamation to Byrd’s husband, Jack.

Closing out Wednesday’s ceremony, Jack Byrd said his wife was a “mover.”

“She was just a wonderful gal. Once she made her mind up to do something, she jolly would do it,” he said.

“I wish she were here.”