Veda Bernell “Bernie” Cline, 96 of Ashland, previously of St. Peters, passed away on Sept. 4 at the Ashland Villa Assisted Living. Bernie was born in the small town of Atwood, Okla., on December 24, 1928, to Earl and Alma Duncan. She was the oldest of eight children. Bernie adored her parents and was proud of her upbringing. She loved working with her father in his garden. She learned the values of hard honest work and the importance of family, which she carried throughout her life.
During high school, Bernie worked as a dental assistant. After graduating from Weleetka High School, she moved to Tulsa and began working at a real estate company. It was in Tulsa, where she met the love of her life, Duane Cline. They started dating in March of 1948 and were married on Christmas Eve that year.
Together they build a beautiful life filled with love and service to Jesus through answering His calling to the ministry. Bernie was the church secretary and Sunday School teacher and taught preschool at First Baptist St. Peter’s Preschool. She was a visionary who made weekly Wednesday night dinners for our church families a reality. With her organization skills and the culinary expertise from her good friend, Barbara Greene, Wednesday nights became a wonderful time of outreach, Christian fellowship and spiritual development. She was a devoted preacher’s wife and helpmate to her husband.
She raised four children and was an incredible Mema to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved calligraphy, gardening and sewing and always had an open spot at her kitchen table with a cup of coffee and dessert for anyone who stopped by. Her greatest accomplishment was the beautiful legacy of faith that she and Duane created. They lived a purposeful life of teaching and preaching the Word of God throughout their 69 years together. Her legacy of faith, love and family will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Bernie Cline is survived by her four children, Saundra Garrett of Overland Park, Kan.; Rev. Jim (Malinda) Cline of Mineola; Cindy (Dr. John) Boudinot of Ashland; and Rev. Mark (Janet) Cline of St. Louis; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and her sisters, Pauline Bryant, Patsy Hollingshead, and Jean Knighten.
A celebration of her life will be held on October 11th at Mineola Baptist Church, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m.
Her family wishes to thank the incredible staff at Ashland Villa and her hospice team for their kindness and care during her final days.
