Georgia woman, 85, graduates from high school with honorary diploma: 'I’m really thankful to God'

An 85-year-old Georgia woman graduated from high school on Saturday — 67 years after her original would-be graduation date — in front of her family and the community she steadily serves.

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.

"I’m thankful," Smith told Fox News Digital in a video interview. "I think it’s an honor and I think it’s a blessing."

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. Smith and her siblings were then uprooted to Somerville, New Jersey.

(Shirley Smith, 85, received an honorary high school diploma on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Members of her family surrounded her. (Brianna Robinson)

"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," Smith said. "And he said, ‘Go to work.’"

First, she took a job at a dry cleaner’s, then at a pocketbook factory.

Shortly thereafter, she got married and started a family of her own, later moving them to Georgia.

Though she considered vocational school a few times, her goals of caring for her children and raising her family took precedence over a degree, she said.

Smith said education was a priority in her home, however — and that if her children were going to live under her roof, they would receive an education.

They didn’t seem to mind.

"Matter of fact, they cried to go to school. Even when it was snowing, they wanted to go to school," she said.

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.

"She always taught us to chase our dreams, and all things are possible if you keep faith in God."Brianna Robinson of Tampa, Florida — a granddaughter of Smith's — told Fox News Digital.

(Shirley Smith welcomed her whole family to Georgia for a weekend of celebration for her high school graduation. (Brianna Robinson)

 (Smith's whole family is proud to celebrate her lifetime of accomplishments with her, a few of them told Fox News Digital. (Brianna Robinson)

Ref: Georgia woman, 85, graduates from high school with honorary diploma: 'I’m really thankful to God' (foxnews)

Photo Credit: Brianna Robinson