Ruby Cline

Ruby Loretta Young Cline, devoted wife, mother and community servant, departed this life on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Atrium Health Cleveland Pines in Shelby, NC. Born on October 23, 1935 to Fess Evans Young and Flora Taylor Young, Ruby was the youngest of 14 children. She accepted Jesus as her personal savior at a young age and was baptized at the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church which her parents had helped organize before she was born. Beautiful and intelligent, Ruby was Homecoming Queen as well as valedictorian of her 1953 graduating class at Cleveland School.

Ruby received an academic scholarship to New York University (NYU) and matriculated in the fall of that year as a business administration student. However, she left school in her sophomore year to help her family care for her brother whose arms were severed in an industrial accident. While working in New York and living in NJ, she reconnected with her childhood sweetheart, Talmadge Cline Jr. and the two were married on June 27, 1959. The following year they were blessed with their only child, Monique.

After working two years as an executive secretary at NYU, Ruby began working as executive secretary to the vice-president and treasurer of American Standard, Inc. While there, she attended college classes at night to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. In 1968, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ and a new career was born. Ruby was an excellent, dedicated and disciplined teacher who won many honors and awards before retiring from Hackensack (NJ) High School after 26 years.

In 1998, Ruby and Talmadge returned to their hometown of Shelby, NC and rejoined Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. There, she was a devoted member of the Seniors on the Move and taught Vacation Bible School. Wanting to become a part of the broader community, Ruby Cline became the first African-American member of the Shelby Welcome Wagon eventually holding the position of Secretary and Vice-President. She was also a member of the Garden and Book Club. A lifetime member of the NAACP, Ruby served as Secretary of the Cleveland County branch for many years. Following the suggestion of her longtime friend Yvonne Beam, she joined the Audacian Club of Shelby and was an active member until her health began to fail.

Ruby was cherished by all who knew her. Her intelligence, kindness, sense of humor, dedication and unwavering spirit left a lasting impact on her colleagues and the many people she impacted throughout her lifetime. Her legacy of service and compassion will be remembered fondly by her family, friends and the countless lives she touched. Her joy, smile and laughter will be forever missed.

In addition to her parents, Ruby was predeceased by 9 brothers: Seymour, Floyd, William, Henry, Robert, Ernest, James, Luther, and Alphonso Young; and 4 sisters, Gertrude Maddox; Ada Miller; Alma Crosby and Naomi Coates; and aunt Lucy Taylor Spear. She leaves behind her loving husband of 65 years, Talmadge D. Cline; devoted daughter, Monique; loving sister-in-law Willie Young Thornhill; special nieces Althea Cline and Moniah Allen and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, grand- and great- nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be held at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 A.M.