Progress continued and 100 stores were in business by the beginning of 2001, when the furniture retailer saw another change in leadership. Rawson Haverty retired from the board and took the title "chairman emeritus". Grandson of J.J. Haverty, Clarence (Clancy) H. Ridley, elected to the board of directors in 1979, took Rawson's place as chairman of the board. Clancy provided continuity and guidance when J.J.'s great grandson Clarence H. Smith, who spent his entire career experiencing all facets of the company, became president and CEO in 2002. Rawson Haverty continued to attend board meetings until his death in 2007 at the age of 86. Frank MaGaughey, Jr. also died soon after in 2008 at the age of 84.