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88-Year-Old Graduate: 'With God All Things Are Possible'

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Rev. Horace Sheffield started college at Shorter University in 1959. Now, 58 years later he's finally a graduate. 

The 88-year-old left Shorter without a diploma back 1965 because his family needed him. 

"I had some daughters that were getting ready to go to college and I couldn't go to college and put them through, so I dropped out with 115 hours," he said according to WTSP in Tampa.

Sheffield got ordained the same year he graduated high school, so he spent the next 70 years teaching the Bible. 

He was married for 68 years, until his wife Bernice died from Alzheimer's disease a few years ago.

That's when Rev. Sheffield decided to do something for himself.

"Sixty years later I want that degree, and I'm going to get it...," he said.

Sheffield reenrolled at Shorter University in Rome, Ga.

One of his granddaughters posted a picture of him on graduation day, he's holding a chalkboard sign that says, "With God all things are possible."

Jill Brazier said she knew her grandmother would be proud.

"I know my granny is smiling down on him right now saying, 'I knew you could do it Horace,'" Brazier told WSB-TV Atlanta. 

Sheffield's degree is in Christian studies, but he says he has no plans of giving up retirement.

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About The Author

Caitlin Burke Headshot
Caitlin
Burke

Caitlin Burke serves as National Security Correspondent and a general assignment reporter for CBN News. She has also hosted the CBN News original podcast, The Daily Rundown. Some of Caitlin’s recent stories have focused on the national security threat posed by China, America’s military strength, and vulnerabilities in the U.S. power grid. She joined CBN News in July 2010, and over the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to cover stories both domestically and abroad. Caitlin began her news career working as a production assistant in Richmond, Virginia, for the NBC affiliate WWBT