Today I was privileged to be a part of the funeral for Mrs. Newttie Helen Choate, the Mother of my good friend and fellow tenor in the Trinity United Methodist Choir, Don Choate. I sang "In The Garden".
Mrs. Nettie Helen Choate, age 90, of Rome, passed away on June 24, 2014, at a local medical facility. Mrs. Choate was born on January 2, 1924, in Gordon County, Georgia, the daughter of Frank Morris and Ruby Martin Morris.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 72 years, John Henry Choate, sons Don Choate and wife Sarah, and Arthur David Choate and wife Carolyn; granddaughters Natalie Choate Edwards, Beth Choate Grossman and husband Rob, Bonnie Choate Cockrill and husband Chris; great grandchildren John Abernathy, Branson Edwards, Max Cockrill, and Eliana Grossman; great great grandchildren Lexie Abernathy, Summer Bowman, and Kylee Abernathy; brothers Vernon Morris, Arthur Morris and wife Lena, Harold Morris, Roy Morris and wife Virginia, and Thurmon Morris and wife Martha; sisters-in-law Betty Dawson, Glenda Bullard; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Deloris Choate, grandson Jeff Abernathy, great granddaughter Heather Abernathy; brother Charles Morris; sisters Katherine Gault, Viola Mann, and Jeanell Brannon. Educated in the Floyd County Schools, she spent the early part of her married life working in a cotton mill but also made time to serve as a Cub Scout leader, wanting to give her children and the other children in the Shannon community a good life foundation. Always having a strong desire to help others, she chose to become a nurse. Working nights at the cotton mill, she attended nursing classes at Coosa Valley Tech in the daytime, in addition to caring for her three children, and became a licensed practical nurse, working at Floyd Medical Center, Redmond Regional Hospital, Shorter College??s infirmary, and various nursing homes. She was a dedicated nurse who was always praised for how hard she worked and how much she cared for her patients.
She, along with her beloved husband, devoted a lifetime to helping others. Nobody would ever be turned away. They would always make room for one more person at their table, or find one more place for someone to sleep. She always stood taller than her four foot eight inch frame in the eyes of those she helped, whether it be family, friends, patients, or whoever needed her. She was a member of Enon Baptist Church.
Funeral services for Mrs. Choate will be held on Friday, June 27, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel and Crematory, with the Rev. Scott Lambert and the Rev. Jeff Hughes officiating. Interment will follow in Oaknoll Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel and Crematory, on Friday from 11:00a.m. until the service hour. At other hours, they may be reached at their respective residence.
Pallbearers are asked to assemble at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel and Crematory, on Friday at 12:30p.m. and include: Kenneth Mann, Johnny Morris, Ben Morris, Robb McCullough, Jonathan Morris and John Abernathy.
The family expresses gratitude to the caring staff at Riverwood Retirement Center; the dedicated medical personnel at Floyd Medical Center; and Dr. Joseph Herren.
