Navasota Abstract continues values, service under new ownership
“Invested” is a word that best describes businesswomen Theresa Clark and Jennifer Fultz Jarvis, and a word they take to heart as they assume ownership of Navasota Abstract & Title Company, Inc. and Grimes County Title, Inc.
The roots of Navasota Abstract & Title Company, Inc. and Grimes County Title, Inc., run deep in Grimes County. Grimes County Title, Inc. was founded in 1908 and purchased by Fultz Jarvis’ aunt, Bonnie Fultz Armstrong, in 1998.
Navasota Abstract, a third-generation family owned business, was founded by Fultz Jarvis’ grandmother Artie Fultz Davis in 1936. In 1993 principal ownership and the operation of Navasota Abstract passed to Fultz Davis’ daughter Bonnie Fultz Armstrong. The purchase of the two businesses from the estate of Fultz Jarvis’ uncle, Court Armstrong, will allow Clark and Fultz Jarvis to continue a legacy of service to property owners in Grimes County and beyond.
Staff invested in
their work
General Manager, Theresa Clark, began her career with Grimes County Title in 2000 as front desk staff. She quickly advanced to escrow officer and was named general manager in 2013.
Taking pride in the locally owned company staffed by 10 fulltime employees all of whom live in Grimes County, Clark said, “We have a staff that want to serve our county and our customers. They know the history of our county and they are invested in seeing it’s done well.”
In addition to their dedicated staff, some of whom have more than 40 years of experience with the firms, Clark said, “We have five underwriters, so we have options to find ways to insure transactions.”
Jennifer Fultz Jarvis, escrow officer and attorney, began working with the title company in 2012 after graduating from law school and joining the family business, Fultz & Fultz, PLLC Attorneys at Law. She became an escrow officer upon the death of Bonnie Fultz Armstrong, and it was at that time that Fultz Jarvis and Clark began to discuss taking a “great” working relationship a step farther – to ownership.
A title plant of
distinction
Fultz Jarvis’ grandmother, Artie Fultz Davis, has long been a source of inspiration for her, personally and professionally, and she said, “The most meaningful thing to me is to carry on that legacy.”
According to Fultz Jarvis, it was 1936 when her grandmother began creating her own title plant. Navasota Abstract has the distinction of being the only title plant in Grimes County that can trace ownership of properties back to 1836, thanks to Artie Fultz Davis.
Clark added, “We also offer services to landmen. We have landmen who come in and use our (title) plant for oil and gas.”
Serving Grimes County
Fultz Jarvis said, “Every transaction is important to us. Our goal is to provide exceptional service in a timely manner so that everyone walks away from the closing table satisfied.”
For Clark and Fultz Jarvis, their message is that Navasota Abstract & Title Company, Inc. continues to be owned and operated by local people invested in carrying on the legacy that began 80 years ago - taking care of people and their needs.
Clark said, “We are Navasota Abstract & Title Company, Inc., serving Grimes County.”