Anna E. Cline, 59, of Grain Valley, Mo., passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of March 18, 2018.
Anna was born April 17, 1958 in Mexico, Mo., to John and Else (Langheinz) Groves. Anna graduated from Center High School and Northwest Missouri State with a degree in Education. Her teaching career spanned 34 years. She taught in Chillicothe, Mo., Colorado, Kansas City, Mo., and in the Center School District. She loved teaching and watching children grow and develop. It was a heartbreaking decision for her to leave teaching due to health reasons. During teaching, she was known for her love of books and sharing that love with kids. She developed a 25 book rule and was determined for each child to be given 25 books during a school year. She spent her summers shopping garage sales and second hand stores to make this a reality. Anna also loved cooking, and celebrating holidays and birthdays. She also loved decorating her homes for the holidays. She didn’t just decorate her living room – it was every room! Nothing made her happier than to see her house decorated with twinkling lights.
Anna was preceded in death by her parents and son, Jeremy.
Anna is survived by many members of the Cline family whom she loved dearly. She is also survived by countless friends from her many years of teaching and her special friends, Stella and Adelia.
Anna will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Special thanks to Christy, her home health nurse, Leslie, her visiting angel, Marissa and Tiffany, her housekeepers, and all the drivers from Red Letter and Kindred Hospice. Each of these people helped make Anna’s life better during the last year.
Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home in Kearney, Mo., with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.
Our Sincere Condolences
Anna had such a special gift for teaching. Many students’ lives were changed forever because of the dedication, talent and love of Anna. Anna also empowered many educators to become better teachers. She truly made a difference. Very few can say that before their time is through. Anna will certainly be missed, but all that she gave us and taught us will live on.
Rest in peace, Anna.
Jo Greene
I would like to send condolences to the Cline family. Anna touched some many lives as we all know. I always shared with her the impact that she made on my life professionally and personally. I would not be half the educator that I am had it not been for her mentoring. She was so patient and encouraging. I will never forget my first year at M.H. Weeks, Anna took me right under her wings and began “grooming” me; from after school literacy sessions to the International Reading Association meetings; Anna invited and encouraged me to attend with her. I did that year and many more years to come. My students benefited from her mentoring me to become the best that I could be. All of the things I learned from her and any additional training we attended helped me push myself and my students to their highest potential. She was a pillar in the education community and will be truly missed.
With Sympathy, Shonielle Roberson
To the family of Anna:
My husband and I met Anna in our door to door ministry. We have never met anyone so warm and friendly. Her deep love of reading was apparent in all our conversations about the Bible and the hope found in the Holy Scriptures. John 5:28, 29 was one I shared with her. Our hope is that each of her loved ones and friends find comfort from our loving Father. I will especially miss her sense of humor.
Sincerely, Linda Kenton
