Mary Keck Cline

Mary Elizabeth Cline, age 78, of Abingdon, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tennessee following a brief illness. She was born on May 1, 1938 to the late Mossie Snyder Keck and Curtis Clay Keck of New Tazewell, TN. She grew up in New Tazewell and studied at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and received her degrees in Home Economics and Mathematics at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. Mary was well known and dearly loved by her students throughout her 42 year teaching career, mostly at Holston High School. She was Senior Sponsor for many years as well as the Tri-Hi-Y Sponsor where she won every award available. She impacted her student's lives and these relationships often evolved into life long friendships. Students would frequently visit her over the years and share their life experiences, memories and accomplishments. She had an amazing ability to remember names, event details and took a genuine interest in their lives. Mary also enjoyed the time spent with her fellow educators and was a long time member of Delta Kappa Gamma and was a member of Damascus United Methodist Church. Mary utilized her home economics background by becoming a legendary cook and hostess. She was an avid collector of many things and a visit to her home was both interesting and entertaining. She always made guest feel welcome and anyone sharing a meal in her home, especially one with baked goods or desserts had a very memorable experience. Later in life, Mary joined her husband in becoming an antiquing enthusiast both as a collector and as a seller. She not only appreciated the finer things but truly enjoyed meeting and working with people at estate sales and as a vendor at the Virginia Highlands Festival. Mary enjoyed shopping, gardening, decorating, reading and traveling. Though she visited many places both in this country and abroad, her favorite destination was always her childhood home in Tennessee. She never forgot her roots and was a diehard UT fan. Nothing made her happier than visiting family and friends on weekends and holidays in Tullahoma and Tazewell. Mary will be dearly missed by David her loving husband of 44 years; her sister Nancy Rose and husband Jack; her only niece Tina Rose and fiance Russell Credle; all of David's family; and her long time friends Linda Garrett and Cina Adams. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:45 PM Friday, August 19, 2016 at Garrett Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 8:00 PM Friday in the Riverview Chapel at Garrett Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Denton and Pastor Jeanne Denton officiating. Special music will be provided by Janice Derryberry and the Damascus United Methodist Church choir. The committal service and interment will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Fairview Cemetery, New Tazewell, TN with Rev. Dennis Fox officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216 or to the Penny F. Garrett Sarcoma Foundation, 29394 Zion Church Road, Damascus, VA 24236. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mrs. Cline and her family are in the care of Garrett Funeral Home, 203 N. Shady Avenue, Damascus, VA 24236 (276-475-3631)Read Obituary