Linda B. Lumpkin, assistant superintendent of Decatur County Schools, has been chosen as the grand marshal for the Martin Luther King Day Parade on Monday, Jan. 17.

Lumpkin received a Bachelor’s of Science in Childhood, Elementary Education from Florida State University and Master’s of Education in Elementary Education and Guidance and Counseling from Florida A&M University, and received her certification in administration and supervision from Albany State University in Albany. She completed her academic studies by receiving a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

She is also a graduate of the Decatur County 21st Century Leadership Program.

Lumpkin is a member of the Georgia Association of Educators, National Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi Honorary Society and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and the Pride of Bainbridge Order of the Eastern Star.

She has received numerous awards and accolades, including being Teacher of the Year and a high performing principal for the State of Georgia. She has served the community as a member of the board of directors for the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the board of directors for the United Way and the Bainbridge Housing Authority.

Lumpkin has taught elementary and middle school, served as a middle school and high school guidance counselor, an assistant principal and a principal prior to assuming her current position.

Married to Melvin Lumpkin, she is the proud mother of two daughters, Mellori Evonn, a summa cum laude graduate of FAMU in senior business administration and currently a second-year law student at the University of California, Berkeley; and Merrie Allyson, a junior broadcasting and journalism student, student government senator and student services vice president at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.

Opening ceremony, which will be at the Decatur County Courthouse, will be at 9:45 a.m., followed by the march and parade at 10:30 beginning on Water Street at Willis Park.

It will conclude with a memorial program at 11:45 a.m. at Hutto Middle School with the Rev. Daniel Simmons of Albany as featured speaker.

Churches, organizations, school groups, individuals and businesses are invited to participate in the celebration. Lineup for the parade begins at 8:45 a.m. at the Water Street entrance of the Decatur County Courthouse.