Mary Bailey SUITT

Family-Placed Death Notice

SUITT, Mary Bailey MARY BAILEY VANCE SUITT Wife, Mother, Artist, Philanthropist and Board Member Mary Bailey Vance Suitt, 61, was an enduring wife, mother, artist, philanthropist and board member as well as past Chairman and Director of the Clinton Investment Company. She was a member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, Georgia and the Anchor Sunday School Class. Mary Bailey Vance Suitt died Sunday, August 12, 2012 at her home in Atlanta, Georgia, after a valiant three year battle against ovarian cancer. She remained optimistic, thoughtful of others, brave and non-complaining throughout the ordeal. Born in Clinton, South Carolina on December 30, 1950, Mary was the daughter of the late Robert Mercer Vance and Virginia Gray Vance of Clinton. She is the granddaughter of the late Robert Berly Vance and Mary Ellen Bailey Vance and the late L. Russell Gray and Gertrude Sexton Gray of Clinton as well as the great-granddaughter of the late Mercer Silas Bailey and Rosanne Lydia Abrams Bailey of Clinton ñ the founder of MS Bailey and Son, Bankers and the Clinton and Lydia Cotton Mills. She attended Chatham Hall Secondary School in Chatham, Virginia, graduating in 1969. She then attended Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina where she received her A. B. Degree in Applied Art in 1973. Throughout her life, she enjoyed art, remained an artist, and explored diverse artistic mediums. Mary is survived by her husband, Thomas (Tom) Howard Suitt, Jr., whom she married on August 12, 1983 in Greenville, South Carolina, as well as three children: Ralph Fleming Patterson, III, of Atlanta; Mary Ellen Suitt Barnwell and son-in-law Brian Montgomery Barnwell of Columbia, South Carolina; and Thomas (Ben) Howard Suitt, III, of Atlanta. In addition to her husband and children, Mary is survived by her mother, Virginia Gray Vance of Clinton, South Carolina; her two brothers-Robert Mercer Vance, Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Russell Gray Vance of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and her loyal Boykin Spaniel and companion, "Blu." Mary served in various positions and civic organizations over the years. In the early 1970s she was a case worker and an art teacher at Thornwell Home and School in Clinton and later worked as a teller at Citizens and Southern National Bank in Atlanta. On returning to Clinton, she served with the Laurens County Economic Development Authority and the Laurens County Arts Council. She was the Chairman of the Chatham Hall Iris Association (1979 - 1980) as well as the Presbyterian College Art Advisory Council. In 1983, she moved to Greenville, SC and was devoted to raising her three children. During this time period she belonged to the Greenville Junior League, served on the Christ Church Episcopal School Art Guild, was president of the Heritage Garden Club (1988-1989), and was a vice president on the Executive Board of the Greenville County Museum of Art. Moving back to Atlanta in 1989, Mary served as an administrative assistant in the athletic department at Holy Innocent's Episcopal School for 7 years, a position she dearly loved. Her door was always open to the children who wanted help, understanding, and guidance. During this time period she also served on the Board of the Adaptive Learning Center and was president of the North Atlanta Parents Council. She also served on the Parents Advisory Board at Hampton Sydney College (1997-1998); Presbyterian College Board of Trustees (2002-2010); and Wake Forest University Board of Visitors (2006-2011). She was also on the Advisory Committee of the Bailey Foundation (Clinton, SC), and served as the final Chairman of the Clinton Investment Company in Clinton. Mary took great pleasure in helping young people get into colleges and universities throughout the southeastern United States including several female athletes that received athletic scholarships to Emory University, Duke University, and Presbyterian College. She also helped those just wanting to find the right college where they could fit, thrive, and excel. She was a loving wife, mother to her three children, and friend to all whether they were rich or poor, young or old. She truly loved people and saw the best in everyone. "Now take back the soul of Mary Bailey Vance Suitt whom you have shared with us. She brought us joy and we loved her greatly. We will miss you, Mary Bailey." Services for Mary will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 15th at the First Presbyterian Church, 410 E. Carolina Avenue in Clinton, South Carolina. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Gray Funeral Home, 504 E. Carolina Avenue in Clinton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to the Visual Arts Building Fund, Presbyterian College, 503 Broad Street, Clinton, South Carolina 29325 or the Thornwell Home for Children (Child Development Center Project), PO Box 60, Clinton, South Carolina 29325. Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is assisting the family.