An 88-year-old man is among those celebrating college graduation this May.

Rev. Horace Sheffield of Barnesville earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian studies with a minor in liberal arts from Shorter University on Friday.

In a photo, Sheffield hold a chalkboard sign that says, “With God all things are possible.”

That Bible verse from the book of Matthew must have helped Sheffield persevere.

His granddaughter, Jill Brazier, told Channel 2 Action News that when her grandmother passed her world almost fell apart, but Sheffield held everyone together.

"He is my family’s rock," Brazier said. "I know my granny is smiling down on him right now saying, 'I knew you could do it Horace!'"

Sheffield isn’t the first 88-year-old in Georgia to earn a degree late in life.

In 2014, 8-year-old World War II veteran Allen Fleming earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and a minor in journalism from University of North Georgia.

“It was a personal journey that began long ago, after the war,” Fleming said. “It was always on my heart to finish my degree, but my kids took priority, and life just always seemed to get in the way.”

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