Retail icon Rawson Haverty dies at 86
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 4, 2007
Atlanta — Rawson Haverty, chairman emeritus of Top 100 store Havertys, who led, modernized and grew the chain for over four decades, died here after a brief illness. He was 86.
Haverty was president of the Atlanta-based retailer from 1955 to 1984, CEO from 1955 to 1990, and chairman from 1984 to 2000. He was a director for 57 years until 2004, and after his retirement continued to attend board and executive meetings.
"Mr. Haverty will long be remembered ... as a man of wonderful competitive spirit, generosity and absolute integrity," said Havertys Chairman Clarence H. Ridley, a nephew.
Clarence Smith, another nephew and the company's CEO, said, "He led Havertys during a period of growth, building on the foundation of a company established by his grandfather in 1885, and helped create a wonderful culture within the company."
Jerry Epperson, managing partner of Richmond, Va.-based Mann, Armistead and Epperson, called Haverty "one of the most revered men in Atlanta."
"I give him credit for bringing the company into the modern day way of doing business," Epperson said, adding that his greatest strength was his ability to attract good people.
Rawson Haverty was educated in Georgia schools and earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Georgia. He joined the company in 1941, beginning as a file clerk even though his father was president. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning the rank of major and the Bronze Star, rejoining the retailer after the war.
When he became president in 1955, the company had 38 stores in 23 cities in 10 Southern states with annual sales of $16.8 million. He led the company as it relocated its downtown stores to the suburbs, and is credited with investing in technology and centralizing functions. By the end of 2000, when he stepped down as chairman, sales had grown 40-fold, with 106 stores in 68 cities in 14 Southern and Midwest states.
He was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 2005. Haverty held leadership roles in a number of business, public service and charitable organizations. His time and financial support were instrumental in the construction of St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Margaret Munnerlyn Haverty; their five children: Margaret E. "Peggy" Glover; Jane M. Haverty; Rawson Haverty Jr., senior vice president, real estate and development for Havertys; Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Bousson; and Ben M. Haverty; and 12 grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Mary E. Haverty Foundation, Attn: Kim Wade, Bank of America, 600 Peachtree St. N.E., Suite 1100, Atlanta, Ga. 30308; or to St. Joseph's Mercy Foundation, 5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30342.
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