Christine "Tina" Winiford Cline

Christine “Tina” Winiford Cline passed away from this life on Monday, August 5, 2024. 

Born July 4th, 1961, at the ARH Hospital, So. Williamson, KY, she was the daughter of the late Noxal W. and Christine (Howard) Cline.

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her longtime boyfriend and life partner: Joe Birchfield; her maternal grandparents: Odell and Maudie Howard; paternal grandparents: Elige and Buna Cline.

Tina was a faithful servant of Christ, a beloved member of the community, a cherished friend, and a deeply impactful and inspiring educator who will be missed by many. She was a proud alumnus of Gilbert High School and Concord University. 

Tina was a 47-year member of the Little Cub Memorial Baptist Church where she served as church treasurer, pianist, and Vacation Bible School director. She was also a member of the Margaret Peak Memorial Handbell Choir and the Presbyterian Women at Gilbert Presbyterian Church. Her primary passion was serving the Lord and being part of the church community. 

Tina’s entire adult life was spent in the sacred service of education. She served as a teacher at Gilbert High School for 27 years and Mingo Central High School for the past 13 years. Ms. Cline was a National Board-Certified Teacher, Mountaineer Master Mathematics Teacher, Math Field Day coach, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Adjunct Professor, AP Calculus Instructor, and MCHS math department chair. Throughout her career of 40 years, she received numerous awards and recognitions including the following: Gilbert High School Teacher of the Year, Mingo County Teacher of the Year, Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award, and many Governor’s Honors Academy Favorite Educator selections.

Ms. Cline diligently coached her Math Field Day teams with great pride and success, winning multiple county championships and producing numerous state winners. GHS and MCHS honors graduates would often affectionately joke in their speeches that life had already provided the most difficult trials and tribulations when they signed up for- and survived- Ms. Cline’s math classes. While she was challenging, she was fair and consistent. Her high standards of excellence came from a deeply rooted belief that all students could learn and excel. Ms. Cline was truly revered and beloved by those who were privileged to sit in her classroom and by those who were honored to share the title of colleague.

Never wanting to miss an important moment in the lives of her students, Tina was known for always reserving a seat. Whether it be at graduation or a class awards ceremony, Tina was there supporting her students, capturing each moment as the official photographer of every school event. Her presence could always be counted on at the 50-yard line, and near the Mingo Maniacs and the Purple Hole.

Tina had a love for Friday Night Lights, Justonian Chocolate Pie, Chirico’s Chicken Alfredo, Nick Saban quotes, traveling, church services, and dinner with friends. 

Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her passing are her brother, Noxal “Rocky” Cline (Retina Lester) and special friends: Laura Bobbera, Jessica Houck, Melissa Fuller, Christa Lester, Connie Lester, Katie Endicott and a host of many additional friends. 

Friends may gather with the family on Friday, August 9th, 2024 from 5:00 to 9:00PM at the Gilbert PK-8 auditorium. Funeral services will commence on Saturday, August 10th 2024 at 11:00 AM at Little Cub Memorial Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the North Spring Community Cemetery.

Tina will be carried to her final resting place by friends, former students, and colleagues: Matthew Bobbera, Justin Carter, Robert Fuller, Josiah Hatcher, Josh Johnson, Quinn Miller, and Dakota Mounts. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Hatfield and Dale Harding. 

Tina’s quick wit, laugh, and constant presence will be sorely missed. She was truly a pillar in the Gilbert community. She has left a legacy. Her commitment to Jesus, family, community, and education will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew her. 

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