Rankin M. Smith, Sr.

Rankin McEachern Smith Sr. (October 29, 1924 – October 26, 1997) was an American businessman and philanthropist. A longtime resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Smith was very active in the Atlanta community. Smith served as president of the Life Insurance Company of Georgia from 1970 to 1976. Smith was also the founding owner of the National Football League (NFL)'s Atlanta Falcons.

Personal life Smith was born October 29, 1924, in Atlanta, Georgia. The hospital where he was born later became part of Atlanta Stadium. He attended North Fulton High School. Following high school, he spent one year at Emory University, then transferred to the University of Georgia. Following graduation he began working as an executive at Life Insurance Company of Georgia. He ascended to the position of president and chairman of the board in 1970. He stepped down from the board in 1976 due to his "other business interests", but reportedly he was pushed out due to his problem with alcohol. He retired in 1978. Smith was married twice. First, to the former Miriam "MeMe" Wellman (1945–1974) with whom he fathered five children: Rankin, Carroll, Dorothy Ann, Taylor and Karen. These five were the genesis behind the corporate name of the Atlanta Falcons Football Club, The Five Smiths, Inc. In 1976, he married Charlotte Topping, the widow of former New York Yankees owner Dan Topping. He died on October 26, 1997, from complications resulting from heart failure. Two years later, the Falcons reached Super Bowl XXXIII.

The team was later sold to Arthur M. Blank in 2002 for $545 million.

On Interstate 985 in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, Exit 12, for Spout Springs Road, leads to the Atlanta Falcons training complex in Flowery Branch and is named in Smith's honor.

Philanthropy

Smith was extremely generous and made significant donations to causes in and around Atlanta, a tradition his estate continued after his death. He was a major contributor to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. In addition to making individual contributions, he led a fundraising drive which raised $43 million

In 1985 Smith founded the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation. It provides grants to non-profit organizations across Georgia, focusing on programs which benefit children.

Following his death, three of Smith's children (Rankin Smith Jr., Dorothy Smith Knox, and Taylor Smith) donated $3.5 million to the University of Georgia Athletic Association in his memory. The donation was a major component of the University's “Investing in Champions” initiative. In recognition of the donation the university named the major building built under the program, a student-athlete academic center, after Smith.