Della Choate

Della M. (Howard) Choate gained her heavenly wings on July 25, 2021.  She was born April 20, 1927, in Slaton, TX to Joe C. Howard Sr.  and Adelia (King) Howard. Della graduated from Clovis High School in 1946.  In June of 1957, she enlisted in the Marine Corps where she proudly served her country.
After boot camp, Della was assigned to HQ Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton, CA.  In 1958 she was 2nd in her class at the Marine Corps Exchange Accounting School in Washington, DC.  She was meritoriously promoted to corporal in 1958. In 1959, Della was transferred to New Orleans as an Officer’s Assistant Recruiter and honorably discharged with rank of Sgt. E5 in June 1961.
For 7 ½ years she worked as head bookkeeper of Sea Drilling Corp. In New Orleans.  After moving back to Clovis, she worked for Firestone for 12 years. Then worked as head bookkeeper of Holland’s Office Equipment for 11 years, retiring in 1992. She also worked for H&R Block part time for 10 years as well as co-owning an embroidery shop with her twin sister in Clovis.
Della married Laurence Choate in 1981. Della had no children but considered her twin’s children: Linda Douglas, Robert and David Hinds, and Judy Morrow as her own.  She enjoyed taking all her nieces and nephews and their children fishing on her pontoon, and was a master cross stitcher.
She is preceded in death by Laurence, her mother and father, 3 brothers, Joe C Jr., William D, and L.K. Howard. 2 sisters, Stella Hinds and Elsie Reid.  One nephew, and two great nephews.
Della is survived by one sister-in-law: Bly Howard, several cousins, 16 nieces and nephews and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be her nephews:  Joe Howard III, Robert Hinds, Jerry Reid, Michael Hinds, Samuel  and William Morrow.  Honorary pallbearers are John Reid, Lee  Howard and all other nephews.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of COMPASSES for the stellar care they provided Della during these past months.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your favorite charity.

Obituary written by family.

A viewing will be held on July 30, 2021, at Steed Todd Funeral Home from 12:00pm to 3:45pm and a  funeral service for Della Choate will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, in the Steed Todd Funeral Chapel at 1:00pm officiated by Steve Baldock.

Services in Loving Care by Steed Todd Funeral Home and Crematory