Sallie is a native of Dallas and a lifelong Presbyterian, who grew up in the Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church of Dallas. She received her Bachelors degree from Austin College in 1978, with a major in English and minor in music. After a brief stint in advertising, where she worked for the Dallas Times Herald and two advertising agencies, Sallie discerned the call to ministry and entered Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she earned the Master of Divinity degree in 1987. In 2007 Sallie earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, where she studied preaching with the Association of Chicago Theological Schools. Her thesis is titled "Preaching in Fallow Time: Nurturing Deep-Rooted Growth Through Word and Sacrament."
