Mary Jane (Clemens) Choate was born on June 6, 1940, in Redtop, Missouri and passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on October 31, 2023.  Mary’s entire life was a testament to her deep devotion to her family and her faith in God.

Mary entered into matrimony with William A. Choate on January 17, 1959, initiating a journey of 64 years together filled with laughter, love and many adventures.  Although they courted for three years, Willie knew the day he met Mary that he would marry her.  In 1977, they started their own business, Choate Auto Electric, and built a circle of friends for almost 40 years.  Willie provided the expertise in car repair, but Mary was the face to the customers and everyone involved knew she was in charge.  As she did in every part of her life though, family was always involved.  Whether it was offering a job at the shop or picking up the grandkids from school and letting them play amongst the parts, Mary enjoyed being around her loved ones.

As the second of seven siblings, there was always an adventure in the making and Mary’s feisty personality stood out, with the most memorable stories involving bee stings, lunch boxes and roller skates.  As she and her siblings raised their children together, the adventures continued.  It may have been a quick but not so quiet clean-up from a pillow fight, or bathing the grandkids in a cooler on one of the many camping trips, but in every case, Mary always looked out for her kids, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren, wisely sharing with them, “you don’t have to tell everything you know.”

Affectionately referred to as Granny by many, her generous nature was felt by all.  Whether it was swinging on her back porch with her grandkids or granddog by her side, hosting a family gathering around the holidays, or taking care of her beloved Willie, her beautiful soul shone through.  Much of this was also a result of her deep faith.  She and Willie were members of Grandview Baptist Church for almost 50 years and Mary trusted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

Although Mary’s love of family was first and foremost, her love of life was a close second.  Traveling was one of her passions – the Smoky Mountains, traveling out west and trips to Hawaii were among her favorites.

Mary is now reunited in heaven with her parents James Calvin and Agnes Anglin Clemens, her brothers James Carrol Clemens and John Clemens, and her brother-in-law Bill McDonald. Her memory lives on through her surviving husband Willie, her son Randy Choate (Julie), her daughter Rhonda Meador (Kent) and her siblings:  Peggy McDonald, David Clemens (Susan), Paul Clemens (Barbie), and Nancy Farrow.  Her love shines through in her grandchildren:  Kimber Choate (Gwenda), Chad Choate (Julie), Aaron Choate (Morgan), Benn Meador (Susan), Brandon Meador, Baylee Deal (Joe), Rebecca Lindsey (Alex); and her great grandchildren:  Madelyn Choate, MacKenzie Choate, William Choate, Weston Choate, Logan Choate, Saylor Deal, RaeLynn Neely, Harleigh Lindsey, Arabella Lindsey, Reese Neely, and Riley Neely.