Background
Vance, Robert Mercer was born on July 9, 1916 in Clinton, South Carolina, United States. Son of Robert Berly and Mary Ellen (Bailey) Vance.
banker Textile manufacturing company executive
Vance, Robert Mercer was born on July 9, 1916 in Clinton, South Carolina, United States. Son of Robert Berly and Mary Ellen (Bailey) Vance.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Davidson College, 1937. Postgraduate, Northwestern University, 1942. Postgraduate Carolina Bankers Conference, University North Carolina, 1957.
HHD (honorary), Presbyterian College, 1968.
Trainee, Clinton Cotton Mills, summers, 1931-1936;
paymaster, Lydia Cotton Mills, Clinton, 1937-1941;
director, assistant treasurer, Clinton Cotton Mills Inc. and Lydia Cotton Mills, 1948-1953;
vice president, Clinton Cotton Mills Inc. and Lydia Cotton Mills, 1953-1958;
president, treasurer, Clinton Cotton Mills Inc. and Lydia Cotton Mills, 1958-1975;
president, treasurer, Clinton Mills, Inc. (now known as Chartered Management Institute, Industries, Inc.), 1975;
Chairman of the Board, Clinton Mills, Inc. (merger Clinton Cotton Mills and Lydia Cotton Mills), 1975-1986;
chairman emeritus, Clinton Mills, Inc.
(merger Clinton Cotton Mills and Lydia Cotton Mills), since 1986;
with, Master of Science Bailey & Son, Bankers, Clinton, South Carolina., since 1946;
president, Master of Science Bailey & Son, Bankers, Clinton, 1948;
Chairman of the Board, Master of Science Bailey & Son, Bankers, Clinton, since 1975;
director, Clinton Mills Sales Corporation, New York City, 1948;
vice president, assistant treasurer, Clinton Mills Sales Corporation, New York City, 1953;
treasurer, Clinton Mills Sales Corporation, New York City, 1958-1986. Board directors Palmetto Expo. Center, Greenville, South Carolina.
Trustee J.E. SirrineTextile Foundation, Institute Textile Technology, 1959-1993, member, advisor national Cotton Council, since 1970. Member of New York Cotton Exch., since 1965.
Member organization committee, director, treas Community Chest Greater Clinton, 1952-1955, president, 1958. Former member nominate committee for South Carolina. Carolinas United Community Superior vena cava syndrome.
Trustee Executive Committee Education Resources Foundation, 1965. Secretary board of trustees Thornwell Orphanage, Clinton, 1959-1967. Member state advising committee Commision on Higher Education, Clinton, 1965-1967.
Member South Carolina. Commision on Higher Education, 1967-1971, chairman, 1968-1971. Trustee South Carolina.
Foundation Indiana Colls. Trustee Presbyterian College, Clinton, 1953-1976, chairman, 56-67, 73-93. Board visitorsDavidson (North Carolina) College, 1959-1962, 77-.
Member South Carolina. Water Resources Commission, 1981-1983. Deacon, elder First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, since 1950, treasurer,1950-1958, past president Men's Sunday School Class, other committees With United States Army, 1941.
Lieutenant commander of The United States Navy Reserve, 1942-1954. Member South Carolina. Bankers Association (Vice-President 1953-1955, president 1963-1964), South Carolina.
Textile Manufacturers Association (director), vice president 1966-1967, president 1967-1968), South Carolina. Chamber of Commerce (director 1959-1960), Laurens County Chamber of C. (director 1982-1986), American Legion, PoinsettClub (Greenville, South Carolina.), Lakeside Club (Clinton), Litchfield Club (Pawleys Island, South Carolina.), Musgrove Mill Golf Club, Moose. Masons, Kiwanis(former director, president 1955), Shriners, Kappa Alpha.
Married Virginia Sexton Gray, December 27, 1949. Children: Mary Bailey Vance Suitt, Robert Mercer, Russell Gray.