OCEANA, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The public will have an opportunity to pay final respects to former State Senator Sue Cline this week in Oceana.
From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, January 6, friends are invited to public services in honor of Cline who passed away quietly at her Brenton home last Wednesday. She was 75.
The viewing will be at the Calfee-Evans Funeral Home.
Cline will be remembered as the quiet, yet passionate representative of the people of Wyoming County. She had few enemies despite the rough and tumble of the political world.
Nearly always sporting a wide and sunny smile, Cline worked hard for her constituents. She was once told a reporter, in the midst of a campaign, that she’d prefer to answer campaign questions once the legislative session was over.
“I try to concentrate on my job while we’re in Charleston,” she smiled. “We’ll talk politics when session ends.”
She was first appointed to the West Virginia State Senate by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin on Jan. 22, 2016, after the resignation of Daniel Hall. Both Cline and Hall were Republicans.
Later in 2016, Cline was elected to the seat in her own right.
In what many considered a mild upset, Cline was defeated in the 2020 GOP primary election by David “Bugs” Stover.
“I’ve known Sue since I was in junior high,” Stover told a media outlet. “She worked at Twin Falls State Park as the desk clerk when I was working there in my teens.
“She was a dedicated state senator and was still working for the community at every opportunity,” he said.
“I am very saddened to hear of this tragic news,” said Jewell Aguilar, Wyoming County Clerk. “My heartfelt prayers go out to her family.”
Wyoming County Commission President Jason Mullins said, “It’s a sad day in Wyoming County. Sue was a good person, who worked hard promoting Wyoming County. She will be missed.”
State Senate President Craig Blair added, “I was shocked to learn this morning of the passing of former Senator Sue Cline. Sue was one of the most dedicated members I have ever served with in the West Virginia Legislature. She was a fighter and a tireless advocate for the families of her district. Her love of her state and her country were second to none.
“My thoughts and prayers are with her family as they remember and celebrate her life in the coming days,” Blair said.
“From the moment she arrived to the West Virginia Senate, Sue Cline poured her heart and soul into her service,” added Bill Cole, a former senate president and gubernatorial nominee. “Her kind heart and her strong sense of community guided her in every way. She was a valuable part of a team that helped to change West Virginia. Sue will be sadly missed by all who were blessed to know her, and my prayers are with her family and friends during this time.”
Another Senate President, Mitch Carmichael said, “Sue Cline embodied and personified the true essence of a dedicated public servant. She represented the citizens of Wyoming, Raleigh, and McDowell counties with ferver, passion, and love. Her contributions to progress and opportunity in West Virginia were total and complete. Her most endearing trait was an enthusiastic, yet quiet faith in God. It is her faith that gives comfort to all who loved and respected Senator Cline that she is now with her Heavenly Father.”
Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin, a Greenbrier County Democrat, added, “I was heartbroken to learn of the death of our former colleague, Senator Sue Cline. On behalf of our Democratic caucus, we express our sincere condolences to Sue’s family, friends, and colleagues.
“I served with Sue for three years and enjoyed getting to know her. She was straightforward, passionate about helping southern West Virginia, and immensely proud of her family. We worked together on a flood relief issue a few years ago, and I saw what a fierce advocate she was for her region. She will be missed, and we thank God for her service to the state of West Virginia,” Baldwin concluded.
“I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Sue Cline,” Republican State Treasurer Riley Moore said. “Having served with her in the Legislature, I knew Sue to be a fierce advocate for conservative principles and the people of West Virginia. She devoted her heart and soul to fighting for the people of her district.
“Mina and I send our thoughts and prayers to Sue’s family, friends and colleagues as we all mourn her loss,” Moore said.
Cline is survived by two children.