Vance C. Smith Jr. lives in Pine Mountain, Georgia. He The University of Georgia and earned his bachelor's degree from Columbus State University. He lives with his wife, Michele, their three adult children, and eight grandchildren, and attends the Church of the Highlands.

Vance currently serves as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 138. He was first elected in 2018 and is serving his fourth term. He previously served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 129. He served eight full terms from 1993 to 2009. He also previously served as a member of the Harris County, Georgia, Board of Commissioners.

Vance currently works as the president of Vance Smith Contracting and Consulting LLC. He previously worked in business development at Pond and Company, Contour Engineering, LLC, RA-LIN and Associates, and RTA Strategy, a commissioner for the Georgia Department of Transportation, and the president of Vance Smith Construction Co.