Terry Cline

Terry Tilmus Cline, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, friend, neighbor, and faithful servant of God, passed away peacefully at Windsor Place Nursing Home on September 1, 2026, surrounded by some of the people he loved most. He left his earthly home to begin his eternal home with Jesus.

Visitation will be Friday, September 4, 2026 from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. The graveside service will follow at 11:30 A.M. at Piney Grove Cemetery, Steens, MS with Bro. Steve Little officiating. Lowndes Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Terry was the only child born to Sidney Tilmus Cline and Avis Rector Cline of Columbus, Mississippi. He graduated from New Hope High School in 1962 and went on to graduate from Mississippi State University in 1967 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Terry was a man who was deeply respected and highly thought of by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He possessed a strong work ethic and believed in doing things the right way. He worked hard, kept his word, and treated people fairly. He was honest, trustworthy, dependable, and a man whose word meant something. If Terry said he would do something, you could count on it. His integrity and fairness earned him the respect of countless people throughout his life.

Terry spent much of his working life in carpentry, beginning in 1967 when he had the opportunity to work alongside his dear friend and mentor, T.A. Caldwell. In 1976, he took those years of experience, knowledge, and hard work and built an honest and respected business of his own, Terry Cline Construction, which he jokingly referred to as “Terry Cline Confusion.”

Terry built so much more than houses—he built homes. Through his hands, his craftsmanship, and his unwavering work ethic, he helped create places where families would grow, celebrate holidays, raise children, make memories, and share their lives together. Each home he built was more than walls and a roof; it became a part of someone’s story.

Yet perhaps Terry’s greatest accomplishments were not the structures he built, but the relationships he formed and the lasting memories he created along the way. His work allowed him to touch the lives of countless people, and his genuine kindness, humor, and love for others made an impression that will remain long after the work itself was finished.

If you knew Terry, you knew just how much fun he was. He had an incredible sense of humor and could make just about anyone laugh. He had a gift for turning an ordinary moment into an unforgettable memory. His stories, his quick wit, his laughter, and his unmistakable personality brought joy wherever he went. He also had a lifelong love for Fords, especially Mustangs, and could talk about them with the same enthusiasm and pride he brought to just about everything he loved. You could hardly say his name without someone immediately smiling as a favorite memory came to mind. Whether he was telling a story, sharing a laugh, talking about his beloved Fords and Mustangs, or simply enjoying time with the people he loved, Terry had a way of making every moment a little more memorable.

Terry loved fiercely. He loved Jesus, his family, his friends, and the people around him with his whole heart. His family was his greatest source of joy and pride.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Cynthia Swift Cline of Columbus, MS; his son, Terry Scott Cline of Pontotoc, Mississippi; his daughter, Kerri Cline Pittman of Columbus, Mississippi; his grandchildren, Alex Kerigan Mixon (Waylon) of Amory, Mississippi, Anna Kinlsey Cline of Columbus, Mississippi, and Michael Cline Pittman of Columbus, Mississippi; his great-grandchildren, Kellan Scott Mixon and Wyatt Avery Mixon, both of Amory, Mississippi; his dearly loved sister-in-law, Sidney Swift Barham of West Point, MS; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He leaves behind a family who was deeply loved by him and who will carry his love, lessons, laughter, and legacy with them for generations to come.

There will be so many things his family and friends will miss—his laugh, his stories, his sense of humor, his honesty, his hugs, his voice, his hard-working hands, and the way he could make people laugh when they needed it most. Most of all, they will miss simply knowing that Terry was here.

His life was a gift to so many, and his absence leaves a place that can never be filled.

Terry and his family would also like to express their deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, caregivers, and entire staff of Windsor Place Nursing Home for the extraordinary love, compassion, and care they gave him during the final months of his life. They became more than caregivers to Terry and his family; they became part of his extended family. Their patience, kindness, tenderness, and genuine concern brought comfort to Terry and to those who loved him during a profoundly difficult time. The Cline family will forever be grateful for every hand held, every comforting word spoken, every smile shared, and every act of kindness shown to Terry and his family. Their love and care made a lasting difference, and the family is deeply thankful that Terry was surrounded by such compassionate people during his final days.

Serving as pallbearers are Jason Hanson, Joey Hanson, Lee Ray, Jim Buck Vaughn, Bill Wilkins, and Bubba Bruce.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Barney Conn, Doug Williams, Tom Johnson, Jr., Tommy Johnson, Sr., Brother Al Hamm, Mickey Mills, Eric Lloyd, Bobby Ray, Joe Thomason, Ralph Estes, Terry Nickoles, Charles Aldridge, Dr. Douglas Hill, Chris Sansing, and Jim Harrell.

Those who knew and loved Terry are invited not only to mourn his passing, but to remember how he lived.

Remember the laughter.

Remember the stories.

Remember the crazy, unforgettable moments.

Remember the houses he built and the homes they became.

Remember his strong work ethic and the pride he took in doing things right.

Remember his honesty, his fairness, and the trust people placed in him.

Remember how big he loved.

Remember the man who could make just about anybody smile.

And if you hear his name and find yourself thinking of him fondly because a memory immediately comes to mind, smile.

Because that is exactly what Terry would want.

Terry’s life was marked by hard work, unwavering character, deep love, tremendous laughter, and a faith that carried him home. His earthly work is finished, but the impact of his life will continue through the family he loved, the homes he built, the friendships he cherished, and the countless memories he left behind.

He was one of a kind. He was deeply loved. He was respected by so many. And he will never, ever be forgotten.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Until we meet again.

Memorials may be made in Terry’s honor to Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society, 50 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702 or www.clhumanesociety.org/donate-now or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org/donate. These organizations reflect Terry’s compassion and his desire to make a difference in the lives of others.