Rawson Haverty Dies

January 25, 2007  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in on January 2007 Rawson Haverty, chairman emeritus of Haverty Furniture Cos., has died following a brief illness. He was 86.

During his years with the company, Haverty served as president from 1955 to 1984, as chief executive officer from 1955 to 1990, and as chairman from 1984 through 2000. He was a director of the company for 53 years, from 1947 through 2000. After his retirement, Haverty continued to attend board meetings and was often present at weekly executive meetings.

“Mr. Haverty will long be remembered as a man of great vision and success in business, civic and charitable endeavors, but more importantly, he will be remembered as a man of wonderful competitive spirit, generosity, and absolute integrity,” said Clarence H. Ridley, chairman of the company.

“Mr. Haverty’s leadership and business acumen were recognized throughout the industry and were of great benefit not only to the company but to the city of Atlanta,” added Clarence Smith, president and chief executive officer of Havertys. “He led Havertys during a period of growth and expansion, building on the foundation of a company established by his grandfather in 1885, and helped create a wonderful culture within the company that bears his name. He has left a lasting impact on the lives of so many through his generosity and community spirit.”

Educated in the public school systems of Atlanta and Georgia, Haverty attended E. Rivers Grammar School and North Fulton High in Atlanta. He earned a B.A., majoring in political science from the University of Georgia.

He joined the company in 1941 and although his father was president, began his career as a file clerk. Haverty later noted that his father’s first job with the company was sweeping the floors. He was called to duty in the U.S. Army shortly after the country entered World War II, and served as a company commander in the Third Armored Division, earning the rank of Major and the Bronze Star. Haverty rejoined the company after the war.

In 1955, he was elected president of a retailing business with 38 stores in 23 cities across 10 Southern states with sales of $16.8 million. He often quoted from the company’s original charter: “The purpose of the corporation is Pecuniary Gain.” Haverty led the company through its transition of stores located in downtown districts to the suburbs. Over the years, he fully modernized the company, investing substantially in technology and centralizing functions for more efficient and profitable operations. Under his leadership, the company grew and at the end of 2000, when he stepped down as chairman, sales had grown forty-fold with 106 stores in 68 cities across 14 Southern and Mid-Western states.

Throughout his career, Haverty filled leadership roles in a large number of business, public service and charitable activities. He served as a director and as chairman of the board of Bank South and numerous other corporate boards. Haverty was a long-time member and former president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He worked persuasively as a member of the MARTA study commission and as chairman of the board that helped make MARTA a reality. Haverty gave generously of his time and finances and was instrumental in the development and construction of the current St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta.

Haverty is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret Munnerlyn Haverty and their five children: Margaret E. (Peggy) Glover, Jane M. Haverty, Rawson Haverty Jr., Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Bousson, and Ben M. Haverty; and 12 grandchildren.

Haverty’s funeral will be held Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta with a reception following. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at H.M. Patterson Spring Hill Chapel. Arrangements are being handled by H.M. Patterson, (404) 876-1022.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial contributions be made to the Mary E. Haverty Foundation, Attn: Kim Wade, Bank of America, 600 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 1100, Atlanta, Ga. 30308, or St. Joseph’s Mercy Foundation, 5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30342.