Monday, June 3, 2024 -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.
"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.'"
she took a job at a dry c, 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. She added that her children 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.
Her family is equally proud of her for
her lifetime of accomplishments and feels she is more than deserving of
the honour.
"My nana never missed a high
school or college graduation for any of her children or grandchildren,"
Smith's granddaughter, Brianna Robinson told Fox News Digital. "I
couldn’t be more honoured and inspired. She always taught us to chase our
dreams, and all things are possible if you keep faith in God."
Smith credits God 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.
"I’m really appreciative, and I’m really thankful to God," she said. "I always try to figure out, What do people see in me? I draw people, no matter what colour they are, who they are — I just draw people."
Regarding the next steps and the prospect
of going to college, Smith laughed and said she is preparing to meet her maker.
"I’m getting ready to go to
heaven, that’s what I’m getting ready to do," she said with a smile.
"I’m going to get my reward from him," she told Fox News Digital.
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