Franklin D Cline

Winter Haven—Franklin D. Cline, age 83, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 12, 2017. He was born May 6, 1934 in Blount County, Alabama as the eighth child (fourth of six sons) in a large hearty family of 11 children born to George L. Cline and Emma Carrie Starling Cline. He is survived by three of his 10 siblings: Carrie Gosdin (Montgomery, AL), Janie Pannell (Decatur, TX) and Bobby and his wife, Patsy, Cline (Forest Park, GA).

He served in the US ARMY and was a veteran of the Korean War.

He was known as a man of integrity and faith, a man who established and pastored several churches throughout his years in Oklahoma, Florida, Texas and Alabama, most notably The Lord’s House of Prayer in Bartow, Florida from 1967-1973. In his last act of pastoral service, he was one of the founding pastors of Mountain Mover’s Ministries in Winter Haven. Over the years, he baptized more than 200 souls, most of them in the muddy waters of Eagle Lake.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Alice Faye Cline.

There are many ways to be a father, and in his long and abundant life, he was doubly blessed to have two families and two sets of children, relationships that enriched his life and theirs beyond measure. In total, he had seven children, 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. “Children’s children are a crown to the aged.” Proverbs 17:6.

From the family of his youth with Dorothy Shinpoch Cline who preceded him in death, he is survived by his daughter, Kelley Cline Gibbs (Dave) and his grandsons Joshua Lee Nelson and Jordan Cline Nelson (deceased); step-daughters Nancy Frazier (Nick) and Linda Green (deceased), and step-son, Dennis Freeman. Grandchildren Lynette, Jeannie (deceased) Richard, Gary, Paul, Stacey, Wendi and Erin, 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

From the family of his later years with his wife Alice, a family that brought boundless love and cherished times to his last years, he is survived by step-sons Jerry Wayne Cooper, Johnny Ray Cooper (Stephanie), and David Michael Cooper (Lisa). Grandchildren Jerry, Johnathan, Jordan and great-grandchild, Chloe.

Visitation is Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 1-2:00 PM followed by funeral services at 2:00 PM at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Auburndale, Florida with interment to follow at Glenn Abbey Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mountain Movers Ministries, 108 1st Eloise Street, Winter Haven, Florida 33880.