Linda Able Choice

As a wife, mother, and friend, Linda was a vibrant, caring, sweet and loving person who lit up the room wherever she was. Throughout her life, she achieved many personal markers, lived life to the fullest and will be remembered for her strong spirit, keen intelligence, philanthropy and fun-loving personality.

Born on a plantation farm in Rambin, Louisiana, she moved to Houston in 1973, following her college years at LSU. While earning her pilots license at Able Aviation, she met Gary Nees Able. In their 10 years of marriage, they had two children, Gary Huston Able and Whitney Nees Able. She became very involved in general aviation, flew in Powder Puff Derbies, and served as president of the Houston Chapter of The 99's. By the time she was 30, she owned and operated Decorative Plants, Inc.. She and her children moved to Washington D.C. in 1989 where she was employed under President George Bush Sr. in The White House. She was elected to serve as the Director of Social Affairs under Ambassador Fred Bush in Seville, Spain during the Worlds Fair in 1992. Upon her return, with her children, to the United States, she purchased The Houston Invitation Service and continued her work in social affairs and event planning.

In 2005, Linda felt so lucky to have met Bill Choice. They shared mutual passions for life, love, travel and their families. They were married on February 16th, 2007 in Antarctica, and also had services at The Church of St. John the Divine.

An avid sailor, Linda earned her advanced racing certificate at the J Wall School, and helped design and decorate “Cheetah”, the catamaran she and her beloved husband Bill enjoyed sailing on together to distant shores. Linda was fascinated by politics, current events and women’s issues. She loved the outdoors, especially walking her dog, “Mr. Divo” along the beautiful California coastline near Carmel. Generous with her time and talents, Linda was involved with so many charities and non-profit organizations. The Society for Performing Arts, The Salvation Army, the Battered Women's Shelter, was a founding member of the American Heart Association Guild of Houston, and had just been elected to the National Board for The National Museum of Women in The Arts after serving on their Texas Committee for 10 years.

Linda had so many devoted friends all over the world who loved her radiant light and energy. She nurtured and cared so deeply for friends and strangers alike. She enjoyed playing golf, hiking or just lunching and catching up on life. She was an exemplary woman and will be missed by so many.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Roy Herbert Priest, her mother Doris Rambin Laffitte and husband Fleming A. Laffitte, and her brother Roy Herbert Priest Jr.

She is survived by her husband, William H. Choice; son Gary Huston Able; daughter Whitney Able McNairy and her husband John "Scoot" McNairy; niece Alanna Priest Britt and her husband Wade Britt, and their two children Trenton and Caden, of Shreveport, Louisiana.

A memorial service is to be conducted at four o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 21st of March, in the sanctuary of The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Douglas W. Richnow, Senior Associate Rector, is to officiate.

Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Sumners Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Linda’s name be directed to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX, 75284-1125; the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20005-3970; or to the Salvation Army, 1500 Austin St., Houston, TX, 77002.