85-year-old, Shirley Smith has been awarded an honorary diploma certificate after missing out on high school due to her inability to pay her school fees in 1965.
Shirley from Georgia finally graduated from high school 67 years after she was supposed to graduate thanks to the help of a Georgia Police Chief.
The chief of police of the Montezuma Police Department, Eric Finch said Shirley was given the certificate for her dedication to her family and unwavering support of their education over the years.
“I’m thankful. I think it’s an honor and I think it’s a blessing,” she told Fox News. Narrating her story, Shirley said she grew up on a tobacco farm in North Carolina with her father and her other six siblings.
Â
Â
Join any of these WhatsApp Groups to receive more good news on WhatsApp
Shirley said to sacrifice for her other siblings, she dropped out of high school at tenth grade. She stated that making that decision was a very big mistake on her part.
“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’t want to go to school. And he said, ‘Go to work,” she said.Â
She then started a career by working to support her family. First, she took a t job at a dry cleaner’s shop, then at a pocketbook factory and shortly thereafter, she got married and started a family of her own, before later moving them to Georgia.
Shirley mentioned that although she had thought about attending vocational school on several occasions, she chose to prioritize caring for her children and raising them over pursuing a degree.
She emphasized that however education was a priority in her home, and if her children were going to live under her roof, they would receive an education.
She said with utmost pride that she is glad to have watched her children and grandchildren receive their educations from prestigious universities including Texas A&M University, Montclair University, California State University, Fullerton, University of Tampa, and University of Mississippi.
Shirley’s family are also equally proud of her for her lifetime of accomplishments and they are glad she is receiving the recognition she deserves.Â
“My nana never missed a high school or college graduation for any of her children or grandchildren,” Brianna Robinson, Shirley’s granddaughter said.”I couldn’t be more honored and inspired. She always taught us to chase our dreams, and all things are possible if you keep faith in God,” she added.
Shirley who is also 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.
She credits God for her diploma because she believes His plan and works through others is the reason those who have experience versus education still have the ability to be rewarded for their tireless efforts in life.
“I’m really appreciative, and I’m really thankful to God. I always try to figure out, What do people see in me? I draw people, no matter what color they are, who they are, I just draw people,” she said.
Shirley’s daughter, Tan Galia Robinson of California said that Finch, the police chief, was inspired by the heartfelt words spoken at her milestone birthday party.
As regards her next steps and if she will be furthering her education, Shirley laughed and said she is instead preparing to meet her maker. “I’m getting ready to go to heaven, that’s what I’m getting ready to do. “I’m going to get my reward from him,” she said.
Â
Receive Scholarship Updates through our Social Media Channels:
- WhatsApp: Scholarship Region WhatsApp
- Facebook: Scholars Region
- Twitter: @scholarsregion
- Telegram: Scholarship Region
