Grace Rollins, 98, longtime Emory benefactor

By Rick Badie

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

When her husband died 18 years ago, Grace Rollins pledged to continue his philanthropic support of Emory University.

Enlarge photo

Family photo Grace Crum Rollins contributed $50 million to Emory University's public health school in 2007.

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So in 2007, the widow committed $50 million toward the university’s public health school, which bears the family name. In 1998, she gave an “unrestricted gift” that helped Emory’s public health school establish the Orville Wayne and Grace Crum Rollins Endowment Fund.

No doubt — the Rollinses’ generosity built the Rollins School of Public Health, among other buildings. It’s why Emory University presented Mrs. Rollins with an honorary doctorate. And it’s why the university’s public school headquarters carries the name of the Rollins family matriarch, who died Saturday of natural causes at Emory University Hospital. She was 98.

“She made the school what it is,” said Dr. James W. Curran, dean of the Rollins School of Public Health. “She fulfilled the pledge and gave additional gifts for faculty development, bioterrorism research and school leaders. Essentially, the school would not be what it is without her family. They’d donated money to Emory University, but the school of public health has benefited the most.”

The Rollinses met in church and married during the Great Depression. “We did not have enough money to buy a used breakfast set,” Mrs. Rollins said in a 1995 story for Emory’s Public Health Magazine. “And of course, we never bought anything on credit.”

Mr. Rollins eventually would become a successful businessman. His investments included radio and television stations, oil service companies, carpet manufacturing, real estate, cattle and citrus groves. His businesses included insect extermination, home security and lawn care, and he was listed by Forbes as one of the nation’s richest men.

In 1965, the couple moved to Atlanta. His wife, a Tennessee native, stood by her magnate husband’s side, making them a formidable couple as he amassed a fortune. A gardener and amateur painter, Mrs. Rollins said her husband was her greatest gift. She remained humble and untainted by wealth.

“They had humble beginnings,” said a son, Gary Rollins of Atlanta. “Because of that, they put [value] on fundamental qualities like a person’s word and hard work.”

Besides Emory, the couple bestowed gifts on Berry College, Young Harris College and Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, among others.

“You like to see people who have done well and who don’t think highly of themselves,” said Don Harp, minister emeritus at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. “Mrs. Rollins is the epitome of that. She never called attention to herself, never forgot her roots and gave generously.”

In 1995, Emory University presented Mrs. Rollins with the honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Dr. Rosemary Magee, Emory’s vice president and secretary, said Mrs. Rollins was an ideal recipient.

“When a university awards that degree to somebody, it reflects their personal, professional, humanitarian and intellectual commitments that are consistent with a university,” she said. “Really, that’s the highest honor of recognition a university can bestow on a citizen.”

In the 1995 magazine story, Mrs. Rollins offered a simple summary: “I have lived a good life, and I have tried to be a good wife and mother.”

The funeral is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include another son, Randall Rollins of Atlanta; 10 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.