E. Gayle Barnett is proof that it’s never too late to go after a dream. For decades, the Northwest Atlanta resident wanted to go back to college to finish her degree and become a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., an organization dedicated to service, scholarship, sisterhood and social action to which many of her family and friends belong.
She marked the latter off her list in February, a few weeks shy of her 80th birthday, when she was inducted into Mercer University’s Tau Omicron chapter of the sorority, and she’s on pace to graduate from the College of Professional Advancement’s organizational leadership program in 2027. Barnett made the dean’s list in fall 2024 and the president’s and dean’s lists in fall 2025.
Barnett, known as “Dear” to her family and friends, completed two years of college at Fort Valley State University in the 1960s before pausing her studies to marry James D. Whitaker and start her family. After the second of her three children was born, she launched what would become a 36-year banking career with Wells Fargo in Atlanta, which was known as The First National Bank of Atlanta, Wachovia and First Union before mergers.
She began in the production and encoding department and two years later moved into personnel in the employee lending department. By the 1980s, Barnett was working as a loan specialist in the branches, and her career took off after she was promoted to assistant branch manager. She went on to become branch manager and then market manager, which meant managing and overseeing four branches, and retired in 2002 as vice president in retail banking.
Barnett’s second husband, Brady Barnett, encouraged her to join him in the field of real estate. Aided by her banking knowledge on mortgages, equity loans and real estate laws at the time, Barnett took classes at Barney Fletcher Real Estate Schools, earned her real estate agent and broker licenses, and worked with Keller Williams and Brady Barnett Realty Companies.
“It was a wonderful journey with Brady. We had a wonderful life. We did so many things together, traveling, attending sports games and church,” she said.
Barnett also served on the Fulton County Board of Assessors for 11 years, including serving as vice chair and chair of the board.
She spent 10 years caring for Brady after he developed dementia. Following his death in 2014, she stayed involved in volunteer work but found that she was lonely at home. She had continued her education throughout her life through courses and certifications for her careers, and her longtime goal of a college degree came to the forefront of her mind. In addition, Barnett’s mother had encouraged her to go back to school before she died.
“I never thought I would take so long to get back in college, but life has had a lot of challenges for me,” she said. “But the dream has never left me. I’ve always wanted to get a degree. Even in my senior years, I was still dreaming about being back in school. It’s just a personal desire and a dream I’m trying to fulfill.”
Barnett owns and operates E. Gayle Barnett Realty Co.; serves on some ministries at her church, Shaw Temple AME Zion Church in Smyrna; and is a seasonal associate at a fine jewelry store. In her free time, she loves to travel, bowl, watch movies and play bridge.
Barnett wanted the convenience of a fully online degree program but couldn’t find what she was looking for during her research of colleges. Sabrina Stroud, whom Barnett considers a “bonus daughter,” encouraged her to choose Mercer, so she could take online courses through the College of Professional Advancement and become an official “Delta mother” candidate.
After talking with Jason Holloway, executive director of advising services and enrollment in the College of Professional Advancement, Barnett decided that the organizational leadership program was the best fit for her and that the knowledge she would gain would be most applicable to her life. She applied to the program, was accepted and entered as a sophomore, based on transfer credits from Fort Valley State University.
“It will enhance the knowledge I have already gained from working in organizations,” said Barnett, now a rising senior in the program. “It will also reconnect me with what I learned in the past and show how those practices are applied today often achieving the same, if not better, results. Through this experience, I have developed study habits that will support my continued success in education. I feel more confident in my ability to contribute to the organizations I am currently involved in, stay current with evolving practices, and effectively help lead and manage with a greater sense of confidence. This experience is keeping me informed and prepared in areas I truly need to understand.”
Barnett admitted she is not particularly computer savvy, so the online course format has presented a steep learning curve for her. But she drives to the Douglas County Regional Academic Center when she needs in-person help and receives technical support from her peers, academic advisor and professors.
“I have overall enjoyed Mercer … the students that I’ve met online and the professors,” Barnett said. “I didn’t expect college to be easy after 50-some years. But it’s been quite a learning experience, and I take all of the good with the little inconvenience.”
Barnett turned 80 years old on March 24, and her family and friends showered her with love for days. The celebrations included a party at her favorite seafood restaurant; a barbecue and Brunswick stew dinner with her children; a lunch and slumber party with some of her lifelong friends; and a gathering with her three Fort Valley State friends of 62 years.
Barnett hopes to mark another milestone in May 2027 — graduation — just a few weeks after her 81st birthday.
“It’s never late to go to school, and it’s more rewarding,” Barnett said. “Even if you’re not planning to work, (it) keeps you updated and enhanced and keeps you abreast of the forever changing world that we’re living in. There’s been so much I’ve learned about global issues and leadership.”
