Mary Emily was born in Gainesville, Georgia to Nathan and Sandra Deal. She has an older brother, Jason and two younger sisters Carrie and Katie (also an actress). She has been interested in acting since she was a child but did not pursue it professionally until her late 20's. Mary Emily received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and pursued a short career in social services. She received her MFA in Acting from Catholic University in Washington, DC in 1997 and from there went to New York to pursue acting. She returned to Georgia in 2000 to teach acting at Piedmont College where she became department chair. She has two children Rosemily and Cordelia. Mary Emily teaches acting and movement at Georgia State University.