Linda Starkey Choate, 70, of Gary, TX, passed away on Wednesday morning, April 14, 2021, in Tyler, TX.  She was born on April 14, 1951, in Carthage, TX, to the late John Ermon "Gotch" and Wanda Mae Nutt Starkey.  Linda was of Baptist faith and was a member of Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.  She attended Shepherd High School, graduating with the class of 1968.  She later attended Tyler Jr. College, where she earned an associate's degree in Computer Aided Drafting.  She married John Joseph Choate on Oct. 27, 1989, in Conroe, TX.  Linda was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Larry Dale Starkey.

Survivors include her husband, John Choate; children, Kimberly Rainey and husband Joe of Little Elm, TX, Jerry Dale Thomas and wife Cindy of Aransas Pass, TX, and Shellie Odum and husband Junior of Laneville, TX; step-children, Amber Ross of Longview, TX, and Michelle Reeves and husband Keith of Cleveland, TX; siblings, Retha Starkey, and Betty Riggs and husband Wayne all of Gary, TX; 11 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021, at Corinth Cemetery with Pastor Carroll Jones officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.  A visitation will be held from 12:00-1:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home prior to the graveside service.

Pallbearers are Max Nichols, C.W. Lockridge, Darion Daniels, Cody Donnan, Eric Riggs, and Justin Riggs.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com .

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