Grace Marie Shook departed to her Heavenly home at 5:03 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2023 surrounded by her family. Grace was born October 9, 1918 to Ernest and Lydia (Winter) Miller of Carmi. Grace graduated from Carmi Township High School in 1936. She eloped and married Howard Shook on September 6, 1941. She studied business, learning shorthand and typing skills, while still in high school. She worked as a secretary at the law firm of Kern, Pierce, and Pierce, where she was soon told she was capable of much more. Mr. Kern took her to The National Bank in Carmi. Grace was hired as a cashier, eventually earning the title of Vice President during a time when women were often overlooked for such positions. She worked at the bank for 50 years. Grace also served as a director for White County Memorial Gardens for many years. Over the years, Grace faithfully served her church, Carmi Emmanuel Church, in many capacities, including writing countless Sunday School lessons, filling the position of Treasurer of the church, serving in the United Methodist Women since she was in high school, even at the state level, and singing alto in the choir.
Grace loved Jesus first, with her family a close second. She loved singing with her sisters and in the church choir. When the church doors were open, be it Bible Study, pot lucks, or praise and worship nights, she was in attendance. Grace also enjoyed service projects and activities at church, including helping with the summer meal program and packing food sacks for children in the community. In addition, she thoroughly enjoyed attending events her family was involved in such as plays, concerts, swim meets, and sporting events.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, her parents, and her five sisters, Ruth, Helen, Ethel, Eleanor, and Ferris Ann. The children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren of her sisters were her own, so she is survived by a multitude of nieces and nephews who were blessed to call her Aunt Grace. She treated each of them with the utmost love, becoming a second mother and grandmother to them all. Every family should be so lucky to have an Aunt Grace.
Visitation will be held at Emmanuel Church, 203 Edgewood Lane, in Carmi on Thursday, September 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and again on Friday, September 15 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m., also at Emmanuel Church in Carmi, followed by graveside services at White County Memorial Garden. The service will be livestreamed on Emmanuel Church’s Facebook page.