WINGO — Dr. J.E. Choate, 97, of Jackson, Tenn., formerly of Nashville and Graves County, died Saturday afternoon, March 2, 2013, in Jackson.

He was a member of North Jackson Church of Christ, a professor at David Lipscomb University, where he taught philosophy and religion, served as a minister for Oak Grove Church of Christ in Ky., and later went on to preach at Churches of Christ in Dresden, Donelson, Nashville, and Portland, Tenn. He received his B.S. degree from Murray State University, M.A. degree from George Peabody Teachers College, and Ph.D. and Bachelor of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. He also was a former teacher at Wingo High School, and served as principal for the Water Valley Junior High School.

He is survived by his son, Jerry J. Choate of Jackson, Tenn.; his daughter, E. Teresa Choate of Plainfield, N.J.; two granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Jones Choate.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Wingo Church of Christ with Bobby Crittendon officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Church Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2013, at Brown Funeral Home in Wingo, and from noon Tuesday until the hour of service at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the J.E. Choate Scholarship, Office of Development, One University Park Drive, David Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN 37204