Mary Virginia Choate, 88, Bolivar, formerly of Morrisville, went to join her Lord and Savior on Tuesday morning, November 15, at Park View Health Care Facility, Bolivar. She was born June 3, 1928, in Springfield, the daughter of Clarence and Mary Josephine Albert.
Mary grew up in the Noble Hill area just outside of Springfield and was saved at an early age at Lone Star Baptist Church. She worked at Newberry's Dime Store on the square in Springfield and waitressed and milked cows at the downtown Stockyards where she met Bonnie Choate. They married March 23, 1946, and to this union were born eleven children, Bob, Mary Lou, Bill, Jerry, Paul, Kathryn, Patricia, Barbara, Brenda, William (Charlie), and Betty. Mary then worked in Kansas City at a quilting company and at Slagle Meat Market while residing in Springfield, a one-room log cabin while raising five children in Morrisville, Willard, and Walnut Grove, before finally taking up permanent residence in Morrisville. Mary enjoyed quilting, knitting, embroidery, baking, canning, gardening, painting, fishing and playing cards into the wee hours, as well as spending time and making memories with her children and grandchildren. She had a generous heart and was always willing and ready to go create more memories anytime someone came to pick her up.
She was preceded in death by her parents, the father of her children, sister, Lula Marie Albert, brother, William Albert, daughter, Kathryn Bingham, and great-granddaughters, Kaicee Jo Willis and Kelsie Bingham.
She is survived by her son, Bob Choate and wife, Paulette, Harrison, AR; daughter, Mary Lou Francka and husband, Bill, Bolivar; son, Bill Choate and wife, Bev, Mulberry, KS; son, Jerry Choate and wife, Linda, Bolivar; son, Paul Choate and wife, Colleen, Harrison, AR; daughter, Patricia Choate, Bolivar; daughter, Barbara Hoffman, Willard; daughter, Brenda Burch and husband, Stan, West Memphis, AR; son, William (Charlie) Choate, Bolivar, and daughter, Betty England and husband, Roger, Morrisville; brother, Robert Albert and wife, Mitzi, Walnut Grove; sister, Lillie Williams, Olathe, KS; 22 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren with one on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Pitts Chapel, Bolivar. Funeral services will be held at Morrisville Assembly of God at 10 a.m. on Saturday with burial to follow at Robberson Prairie Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s in Mary’s memory. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, Mo.