Mary Ellen Cline (72) of Watson

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 4, at Watson Baptist Church in Watson. Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at a later date. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children at donate.lovetotherescue.org. Online condolences may be left by clicking here.

Mary was born October 12, 1949, in Effingham, the daughter of Gaylord and Bertha (Riley) White. She was united in marriage to Larry Michael Cline September 17, 1968. He preceded her in death September 29, 2018. Mary started babysitting when her kids were in grade school and continued until they were in high school. She then started to work at the FedCo Credit Union and helped it become part of the Land of Lincoln Credit Union. She found her true passion in helping residents at Community Support Systems group homes. Each resident became a part of her family. She had to quit to take care of her husband when his ALS got bad but returned as soon as she was able after he passed. Her pulmonary fibrosis forced her to finally quit for good, but she stayed close to the co-workers and residents she loved so much.

Mary enjoyed spending time with her family and vacationing with them in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year, sometimes twice a year. She could not rest until she knew “her chicks” were at home and safe.

Mary is survived by her children, Aaron Cline of Watson and Angela Long of Watson; son-in-law, Gerry Long of Watson; grandchildren, Brittny Long of Effingham and Seth Long of Watson; brother, Duane (Linda) White; sisters, Sharon (Ray) Casselman and Shirley Filer; and sister-in-law, Laura White.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sister, Rita Welker; and brother, Robert White.