Chamber selects Shook as grand marshal for Barbecue Parade

DECATUR -- The Decatur Chamber of Commerce, in a vote by its membership, selected Katherine Shook as Grand Marshal for the 61st Annual Decatur Barbecue Parade.

Katherine was born in Decatur and attended school there. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor of science degree and returned to the Decatur school system and taught science.

In addition to Decatur, Shook taught at several area schools, including Sulphur Springs, Gravette and Gentry, before retiring after 39 years.

Shook is a longtime resident of Decatur, where she lived with her late husband Leo. She raised her four children in Decatur.

Besides teaching, Shook was also a full-time farmer, supporting her husband in the hay field and raising chickens and hogs.

Shook also taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church in Decatur and was a long-time leader of the Mt. Zion 4H.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and runs from City Park through Main Street to Veterans Park.

General News on 07/30/2014