Lorna Gay Cline

Lorna Gay Cline, 75, passed away peacefully at home in Knoxville, Tennessee, on May 18, 2026, surrounded by the love of a life beautifully lived.

Born on March 3, 1951, in Paintsville, Kentucky, Lorna entered the world alongside her twin brother, Keith — a fact she wore proudly all her life. Raised in the mountains she loved, she graduated from Mullins School where she was a proud Tiger, and she always carried a deep love for her Eastern Kentucky roots. Though she spent the last decade or so living in Tennessee, Pikeville would always feel like home.

Lorna retired from Pikeville Medical Center after years of hard work and dedication, but those who knew her best knew retirement simply gave her more time to love harder, laugh louder, and keep everyone around her on their toes.

To know Lorna was to know a woman full of fire, heart, humor, and unwavering love.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend — but if you asked her, one of her proudest titles was “dog mom.” She adored her fur babies fiercely and never met a dog she couldn’t love.

For 56 years, she shared a life with the love of her life, James “Jimmy” Cline. Though she’d probably be the first to tell you that 56 years wasn’t always easy — especially with two stubborn, ornery people steering the ship — she’d also tell you it was one sweet ride. Together, they built a life they were exceptionally proud of, full of family, resilience, laughter, and stories worth retelling.

Lorna deeply loved her siblings and especially treasured the unique bond she shared with her twin brother, Keith. She sought their advice, laughed through memories old and new, and loved her family with fierce loyalty and her whole heart.

She was a woman ahead of her time in so many ways. There wasn’t an electronic she was intimidated by or a kitchen gadget she didn’t own — and somehow already knew how to use better than everybody else. If there was a button to push, an app to master, or an appliance to figure out, Mamaw had probably already done it.

At the same time, Lorna was every bit a lady. She believed a woman could accomplish absolutely anything she set her mind to — especially if she had her makeup done and a good pair of hoop earrings on.

Her children and grandchildren may have lovingly nominated her as their toughest critic, but only because she truly believed they were the best of the best. She cheered the loudest, bragged the hardest, and never missed an opportunity to tell anyone with ears just how proud she was of the people she loved.

Lorna loved jokes almost as much as she loved telling them. She had the kind of laugh that filled a room — big, jolly, contagious, and impossible not to join in on.

A true spitfire with the softest heart, Lorna Gay Cline leaves behind a legacy of fierce love, laughter, strength, and loyalty. She will be missed beyond words, remembered endlessly, and loved forever.

Lorna was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Merle Kidd; her brother, Maurice Kidd; and her beloved fur babies, Sissy and Molly.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, James “Jimmy” Cline; one daughter, Rachelle (Chuck) Cokley; one son, Chris (Jessica) Cline; three grandchildren, Charles “Charlie” Cokley, Alexandra “Alex” Cokley, and Olivia Cline; sisters, Tanya (Bruce) Wall, Janis (Bob) Friend, and Kay (Charlie) Mullins; twin brother, Keith (Shelia) Kidd; a host of nieces, nephews, close friends, and beloved fur babies, Thor and Loki.

Her memory will live on in every shared laugh, every proud family moment, and every woman bold enough to throw on her hoop earrings and handle business.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 1 - 3 PM at the Lucas & Son Funeral Home.