Franklin Dewayne Cline, 65, of Gilbert, West Virginia, went home to his Lord on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Dewayne was the son of the late Nancy Justice and Leck Cline. Although his earthly birth was September 18, 1959, he found new life in Christ as an adult and went on to fervently serve the Lord for over half his life. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church of Horsepen, and served as the pastor there for the last twenty-three years.

Dewayne consistently guided and encouraged his family to walk in faith and live according to God’s Word. As a loving husband, he cherished his wife with a deep and enduring love. As a father and father-in-law, he offered wisdom, support, and encouragement, always striving to lead by example and nurture his family’s spiritual growth. As a grandfather, he showered his grandchildren with affection and imparted to them the importance of a life rooted in faith. He was immensely proud of his family and always recognized the Goodness of God’s blessings within his family unit. He took great joy in watching his children grow, and he was deeply thankful for the love that surrounded him. His heart was full of pride for the accomplishments and lives of each family member, and he gave God all the glory for the joy and fulfillment his family brought him.

He loved the church and boldly shared the love and grace of our savior, Jesus Christ, with as many people as possible. His walk with the Lord was his greatest and most important endeavor. He truly wanted to help as many people as possible understand the need for God in their lives and urged everyone around him to dig into the scriptures. Dewayne’s passing is not only a time for grief, but also a call to witness the faith he held so dearly. Throughout his life, he sought to live in a way that honored God, and it was his heartfelt desire that his death would serve as a reminder of the hope and peace found in Christ. Dewayne would want his legacy to inspire others to seek a personal relationship with the Lord and to experience the joy, purpose, and eternal life that come from following Christ. He believed with all his heart that faith in Jesus Christ was the most important decision one could make, and he would urge all who read this to consider the call to salvation and a life lived in His grace.

Dewayne’s most cherished pastime was biblical study. He was known for his unwavering faith and thirst for knowledge, spent countless hours in devotion, often found with stacks of books and commentaries by his side, diligently studying the Word of God. His life was a testament to his deep love for the Lord, always seeking to understand His truth and live it out in every aspect of life. Dewayne’s passion for learning and spiritual growth was evident to all who knew him, and his legacy of faith, wisdom, and kindness will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched.

Throughout his life, Dewayne was deeply committed to providing for his family, working tirelessly as a truck driver. He was always striving to ensure the well-being and future of his family. Many stories were shared by him from his time hauling lumber and coal. There seemed to be no road or highway that he wasn’t familiar with and stories from him often started with, “I hauled chips down there,” or “I remember taking a load of lumber along that highway.” He was proud of being a truck driver. Always showing caution on an interstate highway or back country road, known as “Snail Trail” on a CB radio. He was respectful of his employer's equipment and often told family that it was the Christian thing to do. The only time he ever excused that belief was when he talked so much over the CB radio that he burnt a few up. He would laugh reminiscing of the times this happened and one employer even told him not to worry about it because he was doing a good work. He used every path God put before him to witness for Jesus.

Dewayne had a good and humble spirit—never carrying himself with arrogance. He was a kind, sweet man and covered in the Goodness of God. He sometimes had a playful nature and liked to crack jokes or make silly faces. And anyone that knew him knew he was a talker, always had the next question loaded and ready to go. He shared a distinct relationship with each of his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed sunny days out and about with his wife, or sometimes you may have seen him on his porch sharing a cup of coffee with his good buddy Raymond Lee.

In addition to his parents, Dewayne was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Cline; niece, Natalie Cline; Brother-in-law, Robert Lowe; Stepfather-in-law, William Gillman; Brother-in-law, Michael Cline; niece, Carrie Cline; nephew, David Sparks; uncle, Ralph Justice.

He is survived by his soulmate and wife of 42 years, Mavis and his little four-legged buddy Rover; daughter, Jennifer and son-in-law, Philip May; daughter, Stephanie and son-in-law, Josh Endicott; grandchildren, Dillon May and wife, Katy May, Kobi May, Tytus and Kainan Endicott; and his very first great-grandchild, Darcy May; sisters, Leta (Raymond Lee) Lester, Glenda (Jerry) Cline, Jennifer Lowe; sisters-in-law, Christine Cline, Linda (Curtis) Hatfield, and Holly Rasnick; special uncle and aunt, Roger and Sue Justice; special niece, Megan Cline; nieces, Angie McComis, Kara Breeden, Danielle Hinerman, Jessica Sheppard, and Tosha Stevens; nephews, Jared Lowe, Thomas Cline, Michael Lee Cline, and Michael Ray Cline; his mother-in-law, Dorene Gillman; and several other great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Rev. Ron Sanger and Pastor Bill Snodgrass for all the years of fellowship and mentorship.

His end here on earth is the beginning of an eternity in the presence of our God.

Friends may call from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Evans Funeral Home & Cremation Services at Chapmanville, WV, where a funeral service will be held at 6:30 p.m. with Rev. Ron Sanger, Pastor Michael Gibson, Pastor Bill Snodgrass, and Pastor Hiram Justice officiating.

To honor Dewayne’s wishes, he will be cremated following the services.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Evans Funeral Home & Cremation Services at Chapmanville, WV.