Full Name:
Merita 'Rita' Ann Allison
Gender:
Female
Family:
Husband: Ron; 1 Child: Katina
Birth Date:
02/19/1940
Birth Place:
Lyman, SC
Home City:
Lyman, SC
Religion:
Baptist
Attended, John Robert Powers School of Fashion Merchandising, 1962-1964
Representative, South Carolina State House of Representatives, District 36, 1993-2002, 2008-2022
Candidate, South Carolina State House of Representatives, District 36, 2022
Candidate, South Carolina State House of Representatives, District 36, 2020
Republican Assistant Majority Leader, South Carolina State House of Representatives, 1999-2000
Former Member, Education and Public Works Committee, South Carolina House of Representatives
Former Member, Joint Legislative Committee on Children and Families
Former Vice Chair, Operation and Management Committee, South Carolina State House of Representatives
Member, State Tax Ad Hoc Study Committee, 1998
Former Special Program Coordinator, Springs Industry, Lyman Complex
Legislative Advisor, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, 2006-2007
Education Advisor, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, 2003-2005
Member, United States Jaycees, 1978-present
Member/Former President, Parent Teacher Association, present
Member, Wellford Baptist Church, present
Member, Blue Ribbon Task Force for Higher Education Funding
Member, Lyman First Baptist Church
Member, Lyman First Citizens Bank Advisory Board
Member, Middle Tyger Chamber of Commerce
Member, Middle Tyger Civitans
Board Member, Middle Tyger Community Center
Officer, Southern Hospitality Club
Member, Miss South Carolina Scholarship Program Board, 1968-2008
Chair, Greer J. Verne Smith Human Resource Center Board, 1996-1999
Member, Metro Transit Authority Communications Center Board, 1998-1999
Founder/Chair, Republican Womens Caucus, 1999
Member, Retirement Investment Equity Conference Committee, 1998
Chair, General Assembly Women's Caucus, 1994-1996
Member, R.D. Anderson Vocational School Board, 1991-1992
Member, Spartanburg County District Five School Board, 1986-1992
President, South Carolina Jaycee Auxiliary, 1968-1969
Awards:
Outstanding Young Women of America, 1972;
South Carolnia PTA of the Year, 1985;
Miss South Carolina Hall of Fame;
Woman of Achievement, Piedmont Girl Scouts, 1997;
Victims Advocate Legislator of the Year, 1997;
SCSBA Legislator of the Year, 1999;
NFB Legislator of the Year, 2000;
GOP Assistant Majority Leader, 1999-00;
Middle Tyger Chamber Citizen of the Year;
Woman of Achievement, Miss D/L/W Prog;
Order of the Palmetto
Date of Wedding Anniversary:
February 14, 1959
Father's Name:
Raymond Allen
Favorite Quote:
I believe that one should "bloom where they are planted" and to make a difference each day in someone's life. To leave our space just a little better because we were here.
Mother's Name:
Jessie Caldwell Nichols
Names of Grandchildren:
Nichols, Jacob and Wren
Number of Grandchildren:
Three
Spouse's Occupation:
Former Owner/President, Tri-State Chemical Company