Freed-Hardeman Connections
Researching the Restoration Movement in Mississippi and West Tennessee
J.C. Choate was born to J.F. and Hollis Choate in Corinth, Miss., on Feb. 6, 1932. He was baptized while still in high school and began preaching shortly thereafter.
He held a B.A. in Bible, a Master’s in Missions, and D.Min. in Missions. He attended Freed-Hardeman College, David Lipscomb College, Alabama Christian College (B.A.), and Harding Graduate School (M.A.)
He wrote numerous books, among them A Missionary Speaks (1983), A Missionary Speaks Up (1984), A Missionary Speaks Out (1986), How to Begin the Church of Christ Where You Are (2002) and Sermons from Matthew (2003).
He was founder of World Evangelism Foundation and J.C. Choate Publications, as well as Editor-in-Chief of The Voice of Truth International, a quarterly magazine published for churches of Christ in the interest of evangelism world-wide.
J.C. was the leader in the brotherhood for publishing missionary accounts on the field and missions studies.
In 1955 J.C. married the former Betty Burton of Winona, Miss.
Before moving overseas, J.C. preached for churches in Corinth, Gulfport, Tupelo and Belzoni, Miss., Shafter, Calif., and Minneapolis, Minn.
J.C. and Betty moved in 1962 with their infant daughter to Karachi, Pakistan, to begin the church in that city. In succeeding years their work has included planting New Testament Christianity in Colombo, Sri Lanka and New Delhi, India, as well as extensive publication and broadcasting efforts in the U.S., India and Asia.
The Choates traveled two times a year to India, three months at a time.
In May 2007 J.C. was awarded an honorary doctorate from Heritage Christian University, Florence, Ala., for his many years of dedicated service to missions.
After a long battle with cancer, J.C. passed away at his home in Winona Feb. 1, 2008, at 12:20 p.m. CST, at age 75. He would have been 76 on the 6th.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Burton Choate of Winona; a daughter, Sheila Gibson of Kotzebue, Alaska; two sons, Steven Burton Choate of Searcy, Ark., and Bradley Shannon Choate of Pleasanton, Calif.; two brothers, John Choate of Phoenix, Ariz., and Don Choate of Corinth; seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 2:00 p.m. at the Winona church.
Wayne Barrier, L.D. Willis, Gordon Hogan, Colin McKee, Loy Mitchell and Dennis Larson will officiate at the services. Pallbearers will be Louis Rushmore, Jerry Bates, Charles Brymer, Will White, Joseph Barrier and Jeremy Barrier. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Winona.
Front of the marker
Back of the marker
Cemetery Entrance
Visit by Tom Childers and Scott Harp on May 14, 2009.