Shellie Smitley spent her childhood in Wisconsin. As an adult she lived in Sevier County, TN for more than 15 years where she earned an associate degree in paralegal studies from Walters State Community College. After relocating to Augusta, she earned an undergraduate degree in Communications with an emphasis in journalism from Augusta University. After graduation, she worked at the Iola Register where she was awarded two Kansas AP awards. She has also written for The Lake Oconee News. She is currently working on a graduate degree in public administration at Augusta University. Her travels include a trip to China. She is the mother of two grown children and the grandmother of three boys. She considers reading The Bible from beginning to end as one of her greatest accomplishments.