Suzanne E. (Griffin) Reasby was born on March 14, 1951, in Osceola, Iowa, to Carrie and William Rex Griffin. She had two sisters, Linda Griffin (deceased) and Cindy (Griffin) Downing, and two brothers, Stephen Griffin (deceased) and Craig McDowell (deceased). Her immediate family includes one son, Rick Reasby; one stepson, James N. Reasby Jr.; two daughters, Clara Reasby and Martha (Reasby) Bautista; and one stepdaughter, Laureen Boone. She is also the proud grandmother of grandchildren and step- grandchildren. Sue married James Noah Reasby on July 10, 1973, with the late Reverend William S. Heath, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church at the time, officiating. The Lord called James home on July 18, 1988. She was educated in the Des Moines Public School system, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1969. She attended DMAAC in 1969 for a key punch class and later pursued her passion for cosmetology at the Americana Academy of Beauty. She sat for state boards on February 13–14, 1984, becoming a licensed cosmetologist in March of 1984. Sue worked for the State of Iowa as a key punch operator and telephone solicitor. She spent four years at Great Plains Bag Corporation and also worked for the Des Moines Register as a paper carrier for approximately seven years. She devoted about twelve years as a childcare provider in her home, and also served as a nursing assistant at Riverview Care Center. Sue was baptized on February 1, 1981, by Reverend Sherman L. Brown, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. She served on the Mother's Board for about two years before Reverend Brown appointed her president of the board, a role she held for approximately five years. She also served as president of the church's food pantry and was beloved for her special chocolate and lemon cakes, which she prepared for all occasions. Her hobbies included crossword puzzles, crocheting, and baking.