Houston Raeford Cline

The News & Observer, 11/19/2008

Houston Raeford Cline, 93, died peacefully Sunday morning.

Mr. Cline was the born in Mecklenburg County on November 7, 1915. He was the son of Robert Gordon and Nora Grice Cline. Houston graduated from Paw Creek High School where he was an outstanding athlete, playing both basketball and baseball. He played Class D baseball in the textile league of the 1930's. He and his brothers loved to hunt; roaming the woods and fields of the Piedmont with the pointers and setters they raised and trained. Houston also enjoyed fishing, building his own rods and tying flies.

Houston served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant while stationed in the U.S., England, and France. He was retired from his own business, Cline Golf Cart Service, which serviced fleets of golf carts at a number of area golf clubs. Houston was a kind gentleman who loved to tell a good story and never met a stranger.

His love for his family was returned in full: he and his laughing smile will be sorely missed.
Mr. Cline is survived by his wife of 67 years, Blannie Edwards Cline; his daughter, Deborah Cline and her husband, Don Modenbach of Charlotte; his son, William Lee Cline and his wife, Jeanne Rapp Cline of Raleigh; his grandson, Lt. Charles Houston Cline, U.S.N. of Norfolk, VA; and his granddaughter, Katherine Lenore Cline of Washington, DC.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jean Carolyn Cline, and his four brothers and two sisters.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Levine & Dickson Hospice House for their care during Mr. Cline's final days. Special thanks go to the nurses and aides whose loing kindness was such a blessing to him and his family. The family also appreciates the care given to Mr. Cline by the staff of Elmcroft of Little Avenue where he was a resident for the past few years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Levine & Dickson Hospice House, 11900 Vanstory Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078.

Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel.