October 1st, 1936 was a regular day for most, but for my sister and I, it was a critically important day and we didn't even know it yet. That was the day our father, Franklin Smith Cline, Sr. was born. He was the second son of Howard Newton Cline, a hard working man who never shirked a task. His father Howard was a tough but gentle man, being hit broad side by a freight train in his early 20's only to emerge five days later from a coma, and went on to have a great life himself. His mother, Fannie Smith Cline, was a beautiful woman, earning the title of Ms. China Grove as a young woman, but her real beauty was inside and as a mother she gave young Frank the love and confidence he needed to lead a meaningful and successful life.

Frank was an avid athlete playing many sports in his life, finally focusing on basketball, which provided him a scholarship at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC. He was starter throughout his four years there and at one time the 5th leading free throw shooter in the nation in college basketball. It was at this university where another critical event took place in the lives of my sister and I. He met our mother, Sally Ann Sigmon. Mom was a number one fan of Lenoir-Rhyne basketball and of our dad. Their marriage came just after finishing college, only to see Frank drafted into the Army where he served his country for a 6 year stint as so many did during that time period.

After fulfilling his duty to his country, Frank embarked on a series of sales jobs and business ventures, focusing on furniture early in his career. After many years of running his own furniture factory, Frank chose to leave this industry, moving his family from NC to Mississippi, where he would eventually end up in the health insurance industry and start Cline Insurance Company. The company was started in Frank's garage and now has agents in 10 states and growing. Over the past 15 years, Frank had grown the company into a leader in the industry and well respected by many.

Frank suffered a huge loss when our mother and his wife of 57 years died six years ago, but in true Frank fashion, he never quit. He continued to work and push forward and as luck would have it, he went on to find a wonderful relationship with Helene McDonald who enjoyed life with Dad for the last several years.

Frank remained a competitive athlete throughout his life as an avid golfer, winning many trophies and breaking numerous golf clubs along the way. Frank worked all his life, even until his death on July 28, 2020.

Our dad was an amazing grandfather and a great father, taking his entire family on numerous adventures during the last years of his life. Frank loved being with his family more than anything. He left this world with no regrets and had a wonderful relationship with his children and grandchildren. There were no words left unsaid. He loved fully and was fully loved. We'll miss you Dad.

Frank is survived by his children Franklin Smith Cline Jr (Sonny) and his wife Treva of Sacramento, CA and Dana Lynn Cline and fiancée Daryle Holsen of Brandon, MS, his grandchildren Shelby, Hunter and Dillon Stanard and Samuel and Ella Cline, as well as many nieces and nephews. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Sally and brother, Howard Jr.