By Marvin Hook

The 2008 Appanoose County Fair is being dedicated to Marketta Haines of Exline. Haines is currently employed at Rathbun Regional Water Association and is a former fair board treasurer.

It was a cold February day in the little town of Mercer, Missouri that Marketta discovered America. She was given the last name of Hook and went immediately to live with her parents on a farm eight miles south of Humeston.

Upon arriving, she began the routine of growing up. There were dolls, cats, girlfriends, mini-bikes, swimming in the creek and harassing her little brother, Brad.

Marketta began her business career while still in school. First came mowing cemeteries, then waitressing at the local café, and teaching piano lessons. After completing a work study course at the Corydon State Bank, she continued working there until the mid 1980’s when she then accepted a position as a Loan Investigator for the F.D.I.C. She later returned to banking at the Citizen’s Bank in Blythedale, Missouri and Hawkeye Bank of Centerville.

There are three things of special importance to Marketta. Number one is her niece and nephew, Sage and Drake Hook. Number two is “the numbers must balance”, and Number three is to greet everyone with a pleasant welcome. Her first great interest in Appanoose County came with the marriage of her brother to Miss Shawn Drake. There she met David Haines, whom she later married. Today, Marketta and David live on a farm near Exline. She is employed at Rathbun Regional Water Association.

Marketta is also the organist at her church and has devoted her life to serving Jesus Christ. For the past 12 years, Marketta has served as treasurer of the Appanoose County Fair and is impressed with the friendliness and sense of progress to be found in this community.