Alice Blanche Stewart Cline

Alice Blanche Stewart Cline died on February 18, 2016 in Columbia, SC. Born on December 23, 1924 in Fountain Inn, SC, she was the daughter of Wayne Dial Stewart and Lydie Curry Stewart and sister to Marvin, Rhett, Doug and Lila Stewart Swain.

At age 15 she moved to Chapel Hill, NC to live with her Aunt Blanche Stewart Mattox while attending classes at UNC. She lived on Cameron Avenue and worked for the UNC Treasurer’s office in the Old South building. She told stories of waving to her neighbor, Andy Griffith, who was not yet famous.

Alice’s studies at UNC were interrupted in 1952 when she married Rev. John Maxwell Cline. For the next 40 years, Alice embraced her role as wife of a Methodist minister, actively participated in ministry at Bynum UMC, Ebenezer UMC, Cedar Grove UMC, Bethany UMC in Durham, Ann St. UMC in Beaufort, First UMC in Siler City, Fairmont UMC in Raleigh, Front Street UMC in Burlington, the District Superintendent’s office in Rocky Mount, and Highland UMC in Raleigh.

She was known for her leadership and participation in the United Methodist Women, church choir, youth program, Sunday School and mission outreach. She was a member and office holder in the Raleigh Optimist Club. She was also a member of the Raleigh Women’s Club where she sang in a small ensemble. She loved and served graciously.

Alice worked for many years as a Committee Clerk and Administrative Assistant in the North Carolina General Assembly. She was a diehard Democrat, once appearing in a TV ad for Erskine Bowles. At age 65 Alice returned to UNC to finish her degree in Political Science, sharing a class with Michael Jordan. In retirement, Alice and John traveled the world, including seven trips to the Israel.

Alice leaves behind daughter Linda Cline Steadman, her husband Wallace of Irmo, grandchildren John Steadman, his wife Lauren, Anderson Steadman of Columbia and David Steadman of Charleston. Alice also leaves son John M. Cline, Jr., his wife Cam, grandchildren John M. Cline, III and Sarah Ann Cline of Chapel Hill, NC and Alice’s brother Doug Stewart of Fountain Inn, SC and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Alice also leaves behind a mean recipe for macaroni and cheese, chocolate pie, and an outrageous brown sugar pie. She was full of spunk and love. She will be missed.

The family would like to thank Angela Youngblood and her devoted staff for the last two years of loving care for Alice and Heartland Hospice for their attentive care in the final weeks.

Memorial service for Alice will take place at New Harmony Presbyterian Church in Fountain Inn, SC on Sunday, Feb 21 at 2:00 pm. Visitation will follow at the church.