Ruth Layne Cline, 83, of Huntington, WV, died on August 18th, 2018 from complications due to diabetes.
Ruth Layne Cline was born in Charleston, WV. After graduating from Morris Harvey College (now University of Charleston) she attended Marshall University and graduated with a Master of Art degree in Counseling. She died on the 98th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment - women's right to vote. She always stressed to her children it was our obligation to vote in every election and believed it is what sets us apart from other forms of governing and is what made our nation great. She was a lifelong Democrat but voted on the person and not the party. She recalled how prior to President FDR, women in West Virginia were unable to purchase property and his presidency allowed her mother, a nurse, to purchase a home in which to raise Ruth and her three sisters; Jo Ann, Janet and Marie.
She grew up poor and it was her supervisor and mentor after high school, Frank Badger, who believed in her and helped her to find a way to pay for college. The rest is history. She had an amazing professional career. She was the Executive Director of Family Services Inc. and United Way of the River Cities, she was the Director of Development for Cabell Huntington Hospital, and she was the first female saleswoman at Chapman Printing Company. In 2013, she retired as Director of Special Projects from Chapman Printing and became a book editor and the inventor of Soap Saver Standley (patent pending).
Throughout her professional career, Ruth had the privilege of working with many great people. She believed one couldn't sit back and hope something would happen, that you had to seize the day and make things happen! Ruth said, "The Bible taught me that faith without works is dead." She believed that if you put muscle behind your beliefs you could accomplish miracles - and she did. Ruth was recognized for her tireless efforts including, Fundraiser of the Year by the West Virginia Society for Fundraising Executives, Distinguished West Virginian Award by the Governor, March 29th was proclaimed as Ruth Cline Appreciation day, and in 1995, was inducted into the City of Huntington's "Wall of Fame' for her significant contributions to the city.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Beulah Coulter Layne and Arvel Layne. Survivors include her life partner, Philip "Phil" E. Cline; three amazing children, a son-in-law and two grand-children, Sandra Cline Ramsey and her husband, Steve, of Jacksonville, FL; Philip Andrew "Andy" Cline of Lantana, FL; and Holly Leeann Cline of Radford, VA; her two daughters, Hollybrook Coulter Cline (13) and her namesake "Laney" Ruth Layne Cline (14), her grandchildren who she loved more than life; her three sisters, Jo Ann Britton (deceased husband, Jim), Janet Layne Spence (deceased husband, John) and Marie Booth (husband, Roger); nephews and their spouses; cousins and many friends.
She was a mother, grandmother (Giki), teacher, humanitarian, philanthropist, leader, visionary, book editor, inventor and poet. She was a huge sports fan following Marshall University, WVU and her life-long passion for the Boston Red Sox. She was the West Virginia Senior Citizens Horseshoe Champion. She loved unsweet tea and was seldom without one.
Ruth Cline attributed her perseverance and success to those who worked alongside her including her many angels in heaven and on earth and her Lord, Savior and Friend, Jesus Christ. She grew up a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Charleston, WV and met her husband to be, Phil, at Camp Cowen, a Baptist young adult retreat. She was an active member of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church serving on various committees and involved with her beloved FAB Sunday School class for over 58 years.
As a juvenile diabetic for over 40 years, deep appreciation is extended to the numerous doctors and their staff over the years who treated Ruth as family.
As an expression of sympathy, flowers and contributions are both welcome. For memorial contributions, the family has designated Fifth Avenue Baptist Church.
Friends may call on Friday from 5-8pm at Chapman's Mortuary, Huntington, WV. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church with Eric Porterfield officiating. Graveside family service will take place on Sunday, August 26th at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, near her mother's final resting space, in Cross Lanes, WV.