DONALD RAY CHOATE Donald Ray Choate, 91, of Mooringsport went to be with his Heavenly Father on November 28, 2015, in Shreveport. Don was born April 25, 1924, in Chestnut. Funeral services were held Dec. 2 at Briarwood Baptist Church in Readhimer, officiated by Rev. Richard Wise and Rev. Robert Wise. Internment followed at Strange Methodist Cemetery in Readhimer. He was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Susie Williams Choate and by his wives, Mary Katherine Stevenson Choate and Mary Esther Williams Choate. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, John Jones “John J” Choate, Wilbur Kennedy “Ken” Choate, James Thomas “Perk” Choate, C. W. “Dub” Choate, Leonard Guy Choate, Robert Bert Choate, Ira Ivy Choate, Mary Louise Choate; daughter, Mary Louise Choate Perkins and granddaughter, Melinda Choate Coats. He is survived by his children: Donald Ray Choate Jr., Larry Wayne Choate and wife Cheryl, Dennis Dale Choate and wife Jerrie, Jackie Sue Reed and husband Archie, and his step-children: Sheryl Wise and husband Alton, Ronnie Choate, Mary DePrang and husband Bobby Jr., Marilyn Shafer and husband, Bob, Robert Mayes and wife Kari, Sandra Self and husband Tim. He is also survived by a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by four sisters-in-law, Daisy Choate, Sally Spell, Mary Frances Stevenson and Audra Stevenson He served as a member of the 346th Airdrome Squadron during WWII. After returning from military duty, Don married Mary Stevenson and lived in Readhimer where they owned a family store. During this time, Don coached baseball and softball and served as Constable for eight years. He eventually moved his family to Natchitoches, where he worked for the City of Natchitoches until he retired after 24 years of service. Following the death of his first wife, Mary Stevenson Choate, he married Mary Esther Williams Choate and moved to Mooringsport, where he later became a member of Tower Apostolic Church. Pallbearers were Donnie Choate, Billy Martin, Brian Martin, Chris Choate, Michael Reed and Denney Choate. The family would like to express a heartfelt thanks to Springlake Gamble Guestcare for the care and attention shown to him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the NSU Foundation for the Mary Choate Memorial Scholarship in Nursing at 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71497 or to the charity of your choice in memory of Donald Choate.