After 79 years, Grace Lee McClure Smith achieved a long-awaited milestone by walking across the stage to receive her high school diploma. In 1942, at just 16 years old, Grace left Hazel Green High School in Alabama to marry her husband, Calvin B. Smith, who was soon deployed to fight in World War II. Calvin passed away in 2005, just days before his 80th birthday.
Despite not finishing her high school education, Grace maintained a deep connection to learning throughout her life. She dedicated over 30 years to driving a school bus for the Madison County School System.
“Grace devoted more than three decades to transporting students safely to and from school,” noted Tim Hall, a school official, in an interview with CBS affiliate WHNT. “She was a significant figure in our community and a role model for many students.”
Grace’s granddaughter, Erin Wilson, shared with People that Grace’s impact extended beyond her years as a bus driver. “She might not recall faces, but she remembers names and the exact locations where she picked up and dropped off students.”
On June 2, 2021, Grace was awarded an honorary diploma during a special ceremony at Hazel Green High School, marking her as the oldest high school graduate in Madison County at the age of 94. Though she hadn't completed her formal education, her decades of service to the school district earned her this honorary recognition.
Among the 302 graduates of the class of 2021, Grace stands out not only for her age but also for her extensive family: seven children, 16 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.
“It's better late than never, isn't it?” Grace remarked during the ceremony.
The event, organized by one of Grace's grandchildren, featured remarks from school district officials including Tim Hall, Hazel Green principal Quinn Headen, and superintendent Allen Perkins.
Grace expressed her humility about the honor, saying, “I feel like I don't deserve it. There are many others who are more deserving. I’ve just been doing my job, and I love it.”
Grace's dedication to her family and community, even at the expense of her own educational aspirations, is a testament to the sacrifices made by many of the “Greatest Generation” during World War II. As the number of World War II veterans dwindles, it is crucial to recognize and honor their contributions while we still can. Pew Research estimates that around 300,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive, with the last veterans expected to pass away between 2040 and 2045.