Suellyn Whatley is a native of Shiloh, Georgia. Suellyn is the daughter of Jeanelle and Forrest Hanson of Shiloh. She graduated from Harris County High School in Hamilton, Georgia and from West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia. Suellyn taught kindergarten and first grade in Tallapoosa, Georgia and LaGrange, Georgia. She is married to Mike Whatley, and they have two children, Benjamin and Allie Whatley.