NATCHEZ — Two 2019 graduates shared a lot of things throughout their life at Natchez High School.

Gabrielle Timmons and Jada Shelby not only shared a graduation day and several honors and accolades from having been heavily involved academics, clubs and organizations throughout their high school careers.

They also share the same birthday.

“When God created heaven and Earth, he also created some special angels,” said the girls’ grandmother, Shirley Frazier. “I have two of those special angels. They are my oldest granddaughters — Gabrielle Timmons and Jada Shelby.”

The cousins were both born Oct. 27, 2000, approximately 40 minutes apart, Frazier said, and have since grown up together and shared many experiences with one another.

Timmons is the daughter of Jarita Frazier-King and Roderick King.

Shelby is the daughter of James Shelby, Courtney Frazier-Yearby and the step-daughter of Hannibal Yearby.

Timmons attended Natchez Early College Academy and Shelby attended Natchez High School. However, both were able to walk across the Natchez High School football field as high school graduates on May 24.

“It’s like the best gift ever,” Shelby said. “We were raised together, grew up together and were born the same day. She can never leave me.”

Timmons said she was equally thrilled to share the experience with her cousin.

“It’s a good feeling,” Timmons said. “After sharing so much together, now we can be successful together and start the rest of our lives together.”

The girls participated in many social activities through the years, Frazier said, and were able to share special moments with each other as close friends.

On their birthday last year, Timmons won the title “Ms. Fashionetta” in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority pageant and last March Shelby won first runner up in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority pageant.

“We had a big party at my house after she won (Ms. Fashionetta),” Shelby said. “We celebrate birthdays together every year, and every fifth year we have a huge party. That’s just one of the things we do together.”

During their high school careers, Timmons was a member of the National Beta Club, Student Government Association, National Honor Society, 4H and the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council and Shelby was a member of the National Beta Club, Jobs for Mississippi Grads club, Key club and 4H and the Adams County Youth Leadership Council.

“I love my special angels and am so proud of them,” Frazier said. “… My heart has taken me back to that October day in 2000. This has been a beautiful journey and now they are about to close one chapter and begin another.”

Timmons said she graduated with an associates degree from NECA and plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Alcorn State University in hopes of practicing forensic science at the United Mississippi Medical Center.

“Their aren’t many forensic scientists in the state of Mississippi,” Timmons said. “I want to work towards being a criminal investigator.”

Shelby said she plans to study physical therapy at Hinds Community College.

“I like to help out others,” Shelby said. “You don’t find many people willing to help out the elderly, but I enjoy doing it. I currently work as a volunteer at the Natchez Senior Citizens Center and I also volunteer at the Natchez Stewpot with Gabby (Timmons).”