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Having trouble? Click here.<\/a> <\/p>\n NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n An 85-year-old Georgia woman graduated from high school on Saturday \u2014 67 years after her original would-be graduation date \u2014 in front of her family and the community<\/a> she steadily serves.<\/p>\n Shirley Smith of Americus was shocked to find out on her 85th birthday that she would soon receive an honorary high school diploma thanks to Eric Finch, chief of police of Montezuma Police Department, for her dedication to her family and unabated support of their education over the years.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m thankful,” Smith told Fox News Digital in a video interview. “I think it\u2019s an honor and I think it\u2019s a blessing.”<\/p>\n 10 GIFTS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WILL CHERISH<\/a><\/p>\n Smith grew up on a tobacco farm in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 1956, her father was pressed with the challenge of earning more in order to raise his six children after tobacco rates fell.\u00a0<\/p>\n Smith and her siblings were then uprooted to Somerville, New Jersey.<\/p>\n Shirley Smith, 85, received an honorary high school diploma on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Members of her family surrounded her. (Brianna Robinson)<\/p>\n “I was going to the 10th grade, and I told him, the biggest mistake that I made, I think, was telling him that I didn\u2019t want to go to school,” Smith said. “And he said, \u2018Go to work.\u2019”<\/p>\n First, she took a job at a dry cleaner\u2019s, then at a pocketbook factory.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Even when it was snowing, they wanted to go to school.”<\/p>\n Shortly thereafter, she got married and started a family of her own, later moving them to Georgia.<\/p>\n Though she considered vocational school a few times, her goals of caring for her children and raising her family<\/a> took precedence over a degree, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n 10 GIFTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES TAKING A GAP YEAR<\/a><\/p>\n Smith said education was a priority in her home, however \u2014 and that if her children were going to live under her roof, they would receive an education.<\/p>\n They didn\u2019t seem to mind.<\/p>\n “Matter of fact, they cried to go to school. Even when it was snowing, they wanted to go to school,” she said.<\/p>\n Today, Smith is beaming with pride that she’s watched her children and grandchildren receive their educations from Texas A&M, Montclair University, California State University, Fullerton, University of Tampa and University of Mississippi, among other schools.<\/p>\n Her family is equally proud of her for her lifetime of accomplishments<\/a> \u2014 and feels she is more than deserving of the honor.<\/p>\n “She always taught us to chase our dreams, and all things are possible if you keep faith in God.”<\/p>\n “My nana never missed a high school or college graduation for any of her children or grandchildren,” Brianna Robinson of Tampa, Florida \u2014 a granddaughter of Smith’s \u2014 told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I couldn\u2019t be more honored and inspired. She always taught us to chase our dreams, and all things are possible if you keep faith in God<\/a>.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n Smith, a dedicated churchgoer, has spent decades as a faithful Baptist working in and around her communities as a missionary where she was committed to caring for the sick and poor.<\/p>\n Shirley Smith welcomed her whole family to Georgia for a weekend of celebration for her high school graduation. (Brianna Robinson)<\/p>\n “I had family members that encouraged me to trust God,” Smith said.\u00a0<\/p>\n She added that her family never went without shelter, food and clothing.<\/p>\n “We always had decent places to stay, and I just held onto my faith.”<\/p>\n Smith credits God<\/a> for her diploma as she believes His plan and work through others is the reason those who have experience versus education still have the ability to be rewarded for their tireless efforts in life.<\/p>\n SOUTH CAROLINA PRIEST SAYS FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI IS A REMINDER THAT GOD WANTS \u2018TO BE WITH US\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n “I\u2019m really appreciative, and I\u2019m really thankful to God,” she said. “I always try to figure out, What do people see in me? I draw people, no matter what color they are, who they are \u2014 I just draw people.”<\/p>\n Tan Galia Robinson of California, a daughter of Smith, said that Finch, the police chief, was inspired by the heartfelt words spoken at her milestone birthday party.<\/a> A red velvet cake was shared and she was admired for her work as a mother and faithful steward.<\/p>\n Smith’s whole family is proud to celebrate her lifetime of accomplishments with her, a few of them told Fox News Digital.\u00a0 (Brianna Robinson)<\/p>\n “He felt like it was robbery to not give her her diploma,” Robinson said.<\/p>\n Smith, though nervous, was excited about wearing a purple-and-white dress<\/a> beneath her black cap and gown and looked forward to the surprises her family had planned for her throughout the day.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n In regard to next steps and the prospect of college, Smith laughed that she is instead preparing to meet her maker.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m getting ready to go to heaven, that\u2019s what I’m getting ready to do,” she said with a smile.<\/p>\n![\"Shirley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shirley-smith.jpg\")
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