Paula Waggener

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Paula Choate Waggener, age 95, a resident of Charleston and Marco Island, Florida, died Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Born Feb. 11, 1927, in Hickman, Kentucky, to the late Paul Washington and Elizabeth Pickett Choate, she graduated from Hickman High School and attended University of Kentucky, Christian College and then graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1949. After teaching in Illinois, she returned to Dorena, Missouri, to help her brother, the late Wendell Hoyt Choate, in his farming operations. In 1954, she moved to Charleston when she married Marion Richard Waggener. He preceded her in death in July 2013.

During her 68 years in Charleston, she was an active member and served as numerous officers of P.E.O. Chapter CV; the Molly French Garden Club; the Junior Study Club; the Charleston United Methodist Women, and she and Marion were active members of the Charleston United Methodist Church. She also was very involved with the Girl Scouts of America, where she was a leader for over twenty years and led a troop to Mexico in 1973. During her years in the garden club, she helped lead the garden sales during the annual Charleston Dogwood Azalea Festival. In the Junior Study Club, many remember her as Carrie Nation and Sacagawea in their annual talent show. She also was on various committees at the Charleston Country Club. In Marco Island, she and Marion were active members of the Hideaway Beach Club.

She is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Sara and Kevin Chandler of Naples, Florida, and Jayne Ann Milling of Atlanta, Georgia; three grandchildren, Julie Chandler of Greenville, South Carolina, Clay Milling of Atlanta and Will Milling of Athens, Georgia; 10 nieces and nephews, Hoyt (Renee) Choate, Dan (Carla) Choate, Joey (Pam) Choate, Beth Choate, John (Karen) Waggener, Drake Waggener, Robert Waggener, Mary Waggener, Jan (Wesley) Burks and Don (Lisa) Getty.

Visitation will be held Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Charleston, where the funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. The Rev. Scott Moon will officiate. Her grandson, Clay Milling, will offer a eulogy.

Interment will follow at the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Kevin Chandler, Clay Milling, Will Milling, Hoyt Choate, Joey Choate and Don Getty.

Honorary Pallbearers are John Waggener, Drake Waggener, Robert Waggener, Dan Choate and Wesley Burks.

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Memorial contributions may be given to:

Charleston United Methodist Women

P.O. Box 351

Charleston, MO 63834

or

Clara Drinkwater Newnam Library

105 E. Marshall St.

Charleston, MO 63834

or

the charity of the donor’s choice.