Haverty Furniture Cos. Chairman Emeritus Rawson

Haverty died on Jan. 26 in Atlanta after a brief illness.

He was 86 years old, the Atlanta-based furniture retailer (NYSE: HVT – News) said.

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“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, Haverty Furniture Cos. chairman.

During his years with the company, Haverty served as president from 1955 to 1984, as CEO from to 1955 to 1990 and as chairman from 1984 to 2000. He was a director of the company from 1947 through 2000.

He joined the company in 1941, and although his father was president, began his career as a file clerk. Haverty would note that his father’s first job with the company was sweeping the floors. He was called to duty in the U.S. Army during World War II and served as a company commander in the Third Armored Division, earning the rank of Major and the Bronze Star. After the war, he returned to the company.

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. 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 Midwestern states.

” 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,” said Clarence H. Smith, president and CEO of Haverty Furniture Cos. “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 which bears his name. He has left a lasting impact on the lives of so many through his generosity and community spirit.”

Haverty filled leadership roles in a number of business, public service and charitable activities. He served as a director and as chairman of the board of Bank South and other corporate boards. He was a long time member and former president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He worked 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.

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

Published January 29, 2014 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle