Susan received a B.S. in Family and Community Living from LSU in 1968. From 1972 to 1978, she was a member of the Monroe Junior Charity League, and from 1972 to 1979, she was a member of the Monroe Junior Garden Club. From 1986 to 1993, she served on the Board of Presbyterian Women. She also served as an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Monroe. In 1996, Susan began a Prayer Ministry at Pine Grove Church, and she presently oversees the church Prayer Ministry and Altar Ministry.

Susan leads cell groups, serves on staff at Pine Grove Church and teaches at her church and local conferences. From 1992 to 1994, Susan was Deputy Director of City of Faith Correctional Center, a work-relief half-way house for male and female state and federal prisoners. From 1990 to 1995, she worked and taught at City of Faith Inner City Church for Children.

Susan has been married for 39 years to John Hardeman Cordell, Sr. who is President of Central Oil and Supply Corporation of Monroe. She has three sons and two grandchildren.