I love to talk about the history of our great state, but what I haven't had a chance to do is highlight some of the great people who have touched our state in some way. Did you know about these famous people who lived, died and impacted Georgia in a major way?

Here is a small list of great people who passed away in Georgia:

1. Ma Rainey - Singer (1886–1939)

Ma Rainey was a singer who was considered to be the "Mother of Blues." She was the first popular entertainer to incorporate blues into her music. Some people say she passed away in Columbus, GA and some say she passed away in Rome--a few days before Christmas.

2. Ty Cobb - Baseball Player (1886–1961)

Ty Cobb was a hall of fame baseball player in the early 20th century. Born in Georgia, Ty went on to forge one of the greatest baseball careers in history by breaking several records. He died in Atlanta, GA.

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt - U.S. President (1882–1945)

One of FDR's favorite places was in Warm Springs, GA. He was a favorite president-- and was the only president to be elected four times. At age 39, he contracted Polio and eventually died in 1945 of a brain hemorrhage in Warm Springs, GA.

4. James Brown- Dancer, Songwriter, Activist, Musician, Singer (1933–2006)

The legendary James Brown hails from South Carolina, but calls Augusta, GA his home. The "Godfather of Soul" danced for soldiers at Fort Gordon and worked other odd jobs for money. Brown worked as an activist and lived a long life, passing away at age 73 from pneumonia.

5. Margaret Mitchell - Author (1900–1949)

Margaret is responsible for one of the most popular novels and movies of all time, "Gone With The Wind." She was born in Atlanta, GA in 1900. She is a part of the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame and Georgia Women of Achievement. She also volunteered for The Red Cross during World War II. Her untimely death was a result of being fatally hit by a car.

6. Ralph D. Abernathy - Civil Rights Activist, Pastor (1926–1990)

This Georgia Baptist minister co-founded the the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was a confidant of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. He played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement and was said to be Martin Luther King Jr.'s best friend. He passed away in Atlanta, GA.

7. Roberto Goizueta - Business Leader (1931–1997)

This influential business leader was the CEO of the southern giant, Coca-Cola. He is originally from Havanna, Cuba, and he truly accomplished the American dream by working his way up the corporate ladder. Emory University has a nationally ranked business school named in his honor. He passed away in Atlanta, GA.

8. Hosea Williams - Civil Rights Activist, Minister, Philanthropist (1926–2000)

Here in Georgia, Hosea Feed The Hungry is a popular and well known organization that feeds homeless people, and this is the man behind that organization. Established in 1971, this Christian international organization has distributed more than $3 billion in food and supplies to the needy. Hosea Williams was also a great friend to Martin Luther King Jr., and was largely influential in the Civil Rights Movement. He died of kidney cancer in Atlanta, GA.

Did you know that all these amazing and influential people lived and died in Georgia? Like I said previously, this is only a small subset of the historical and influential people who lived and died in Georgia. Who else do you know that was just as superb as these people and either lived or died in Georgia? Discuss it in the comments below!