Ernestine L Cline

Obituary

Ernestine Lenora Cline

March 29, 1925 - May 25, 2023

“I am not certain whether my earliest memories are truly mine, because when I bring them to mind, I feel my mothers’ breath on every word.”

― Anita Diamant, The Red Tent

On March 29, 1925, Ernestine Lenora Cline was born in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Though she was the eldest child born to Annie J. Sneed (nee Kelley), she was nicknamed “Teeny" because she was also the smallest.    

She grew up in the church. When Eastern Avenue Baptist and Union Baptist Churches merged into Emmanuel Baptist Church,  Ernestine was among its earliest members.  She was baptized at age sixteen and along with her parents church mother Anne Sneed and Deacon Albert Sneed, her faith and dedication to honoring God and her community was unwavering.  She served on the Usher Board, Visiting Committee, Falathea Club, Hospitality Board, Mission Board, Prison Ministry, Vacation Bible School and the Geraldine Jefferson Food pantry, where at age 98 she  remained a regular volunteer.  

Ernestine graduated from Everett High School in 1943 and went on to attend Boston City Hospital Nursing School in 1947, graduating in 1950.  In recognition of her matriculation from the BCH Nursing School, she received an honorary degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.  She retired as a Charge Nurse in 1991 after forty-seven years of dedicated service.  She completed accredited nursing coursework well into her 80’s,  keeping her nursing credentials current in the event she was ever called back into service.  

Ernestine married her life partner, William “Bill” Cline on April 28, 1957 at Emmanuel Baptist Church where Reverend Earl W. Lawson officiated and the two  enjoyed a 57-year union.  Together they ventured out on Sunday drives to Salem Willows, Revere Beach, dinners at Porthole Hub and maintained a strong and deep connection through their shared interests in nursing, jazz, dancing, travel and family gatherings.  

An avid reader and student of history,  Ernestine made weekly trips to the Malden Public Library to check out titles and was a member of two book groups.  Her favorite novels  included The Red Tent, The #1 Ladies Detective Series, Sherlock Holmes and Our Souls at Night.  She escaped into literature every free moment she had and fostered a lifelong love of reading in each of her children. 

A self professed “late bloomer,” Ernestine married in her 30’s.

Became a mother for the third time in her 40’s. 

Passed her driving test and received her driver’s license in her 50’s. 

Retired and took her first solo road trip to New York to visit her grandchildren in her 60’s.  

Completed a 20-mile Walk for Hunger, and began taking tai chi and yoga classes in her 70’s.

Travelled to London to 221 B Baker Street, the literary home of her beloved Sherlock Holmes in her 80’s. 

Attended each and every one of the college graduations of her grandchildren from Syracuse University, Rhode Island School of Design and Emory University in her 90’s. 

In October, she will be posthumously recognized by the Boston City Hospital School of Nursing Association.  

She leaves to cherish her memory her three children;  Linda Cline of Providence, RI,  William M. Cline Jr. (Darlene) of Fall River, MA and Lesa Cline-Ransome (James) of Rhinebeck, New York; six grandchildren Jaime Ransome, Maya Ransome, Malcolm Ransome, Leila Ransome, Akasha Holley and Milan Cline; stepson David Jennings, sisters Shirley Johnson and Ruby Jackson and sisters in law Dawn-Marie Sneed and Cynthia Cheryl Sneed.  She is predeceased by her husband William Cline,  sister Elvera Sneed Ransom, brothers Elbert T. Sneed, Lewis Sneed;   family members Elizabeth Howard Freeman, Doretha Sutherland and Robert Staton and father Edward Marshall Howard; 

She was a godmother to Dorian Howard, Kim Sneed Johnson, Palmer Jackson III and Dwight Sutherland (Deceased) and she was a friend, cousin, and auntie to many nieces and nephews. 

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