79-year-old female candidates college after posting education to take care of the family

Patricia Sias Ellis just graduated from College – a goal six decades in creation.

Ellis, 79, crossed the graduation stage at Clayton State University in Morrow, Ga., On Saturday, May 10, 60 years after shooting college to prioritize their family, per 11alive. After several years of work and support for both her husband’s and son’s collegiate careers, Ellis realized his own dream and received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

“I always knew I was not done,” she told the outlet.

“I didn’t feel that I had ever finished any of the things I had started,” Ellis told CNN/WXIA.

In a news clip from 11aliveEllis slid on her navy cap and graduation dress and beamed when Outfit was finished. “These experiences I should have had at 19 or 20 years old – they are the same at 79 years old,” she said.

Elli’s return to College began eight years ago, when she registered at Atlanta Metro College and later transferred to Clayton State, Per CNN/WXIA.

The decision to return came after her son joked that she “wore a hole on the couch and looked at soap operas all day”, she told CNN/WXIA. He told her to get a job or go back to school can be more productive, “and I said I don’t get a job,” Ellis explained.

Slowly but surely Ellis got her degree and took some classes every semester. In 2022, she met an unexpected obstacle when doctors discovered a tumor of 10 pounds on her kidney, 11alive reports. After the operation, she registered in more classes that were determined to close her degree.

“I just had a good time, in this whole process – especially in the past year when I realized it will really happen,” she said to the outlet and added, “I’ve just been over the moon.”

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Elli’s endurance has proven an inspiration for the Clayton State Community – the President of the University, Dr. Georj Lewis, including. Elli’s “lit in the room”, and would probably light up the examination ceremony, Lewis told 11alive.

“When she crosses that scene, everyone will probably stand up,” he told the outlet before the ceremony. “Because she’s hard not to know.”

After her recent performance, Ellis keeps her options open. She is considering registering in a master’s program in the future, but is currently focused on contributing to her society with the knowledge and wisdom she gained in Clayton State, during what she now considers “the best years of my life.”