Betty “Gigi” Shook, a woman of immeasurable strength, grit, and faith, entered into eternal rest on August 15, 2025, at the age of 93. Born on June 23, 1932, she was the middle child of three to Fred and Minnie Walker. She grew up alongside her siblings, Paul Walker and Donna Wilson, both of whom preceded her in death. As aContinue Reading
Betty “Gigi” Shook, a woman of immeasurable strength, grit, and faith, entered into eternal rest on August 15, 2025, at the age of 93.
Born on June 23, 1932, she was the middle child of three to Fred and Minnie Walker. She grew up alongside her siblings, Paul Walker and Donna Wilson, both of whom preceded her in death. As a teenager on the family farm, she developed the grit that would carry her through life milking eleven cows by hand, morning and night.
Betty graduated from Republic High School in 1950, where she was a cheerleader who loved cheering on her future husband, Thomas Y. Shook, as he played basketball. Both shared a love of softball, playing for Republic before beginning their lifelong journey together. On December 10, 1950, she married Thomas, her partner and best friend, and together they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage until his passing.
In the late 1950s and 1960s, Betty worked for Ozark Production Credit Association. Later, combining her talent for design and love of beauty, she became the founder and owner of Arts & Interiors by Betty Shook. Her eye for detail and passion for creating warm, welcoming spaces touched many homes and lives.
Gigi was the heart of her family. She is survived by her sons Thomas Edwin Shook (wife Kimberly) and Michael Timothy Shook. Tom’s children are Meagen Ashley, Elizabeth Susan Morgan, and Michael Cary. Meagen along with her husband Joseph have four sons Payden, Jacob, Dustin, Nathan and two grandsons Layne and Kayden. Michael along with his wife Adrienne have three children Ethan, Gabriel, and Emily. Morgan has one son, Eli. Kimberly is the grandmother of Ben and Lily, who also brought joy into Gigi’s life.
Tim has three children Rebecca Rose her husband Boyd, Timothy Christian (Kit), and Caleb Walker.
Each of them carries a piece of Gigi’s spirit, wisdom, and love.
She had an uncanny ability to be brutally honest while showing deep love in the very same breath. She instilled in her family a love of books and art, and her unmatched work ethic and resilience shaped generations. Her truth, strength, and devotion will always remain her greatest gifts to us.
Gigi shared her passion for beauty and creativity not only with her family but also with her community. She was a member of Friends of the Garden, a past docent at The Butterfly House, and a past docent Springfield Art Museum.
She delighted in the details that made life special marshmallows and jelly beans for the children, the best homemade peanut brittle, pine boughs and greenery at Christmas, and gardenia trees in the spring. She always carried the soft fragrance of Jessica McClintock perfume, cherished the bluebonnets of Texas, the smell of desert air, and her beloved turquoise jewelry. These simple joys became part of her family’s story and will forever remind them of her.
To know Gigi was to know strength, honesty, laughter, and unconditional love. She was our truth teller, our encourager, and our home. Though she has gone on to heaven, her presence will always be felt in the pages we read, the art we cherish, the gardens we grow, the games we play, and the love we carry forward.
“Truth is truth,” she always said and the truth is, Gigi will be deeply missed and forever loved.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to: https://75823.blackbaudhosting.com/75823/General
left a message on August 28, 2025:
She was a dear friend. There was no one like her. The strength of the community and the best designer to ever exist. You will be missed so much.
You are forever in our hearts and live on in your wonderful family.
Love you
left a message on August 21, 2025:
I met Betty and Tom in the early 2000's when I was Director of Campus Ministry at the Lutheran Student Center. Betty was instrumental in our redecorating project. She and Tom adopted me, our children and loved us like their own. In fact, Hannah and Luke's heights are part of her kitchen wall alongside all the grands! They have fond memories of Betty spoiling them with canned apricot juice and cookies, and Tom would spoil me with his bounty from their garden - never let me leave empty-handed. They blessed our lives in so many ways and I love them so very much. Their generosity, love and faith were a blessing to so many of us. As you all know and have felt, Betty loved her family deeply and fiercely and I loved hearing all her updates, the sparkle in her eye, and her laugh as she shared stories. What a beautiful obituary for a beautiful gift to so many of us. Our love and prayers are with you. Heaven gained one of the absolute best!
Love,
Donna, Rob, Hannah and Luke Rebmann
left a message on August 20, 2025:
I’m so very sorry to learn of Betty’s passing. I’ve been her hairdresser for some time. I will miss her charm and wit we had great conversations. I will miss her along with all of you.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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