Sarah Elaine (Shoup) Cline

Sarah Elaine (Shoup) Cline, age 91 of Lancaster, OH passed away Tuesday October 6th, 2026. Sarah was born in Richwood, OH in 1935, the daughter of Chester “Doc” and Laurentine (Phelps) Shoup. Sarah graduated from Richwood High School, attended Columbus Business College, and worked as a bookkeeper before becoming a homemaker. She married Russell Cline in 1954 and they were married over 67 years.

After marrying Russ, Sarah lived with him at Naval Station Norfolk (VA); Marysville, OH; Richwood, OH; Marion, OH; Mansfield, OH; Lancaster, OH; and Nelsonville, OH. In 1968, the family returned to Lancaster - a town they had fallen in love with during a previous stay - and Sarah & Russ remained there the rest of their lives. They invested their lives into this community.

Sarah and Russ were part of a wonderful group of friends who spent every New Year’s Eve and many major holidays together for over 40 years - a remnant of this group still continued to get together regularly until this past spring. They treasured many beloved neighbors over the years; in her final years, several neighbors went the extra mile to help out when needed and Sarah was grateful for their friendships. And she also had been a part of the same bridge club for nearly 60 years.

Sarah & Russ raised 3 children and she was the proud grandmother of 3 and great-grandmother of 6; her family brought her a lot of joy. She and Russ actively supported all of them in their many activities - attending countless sporting events and band competitions. Even as recently as May, Sarah traveled to watch one of her great-grandsons play baseball. And despite significant mobility issues, she traveled to Washington, DC last fall to visit the family of one of her granddaughters.

After her youngest graduated high school, Sarah returned to work for a few years as an adult director at her local church, First United Methodist, where she had been a member for over 60 years. Sarah was also one of the longest serving members of the TWIG 7 chapter, helping to provide for patients at the local hospital. And for several years, she and Russ volunteered as mentors and tutored students through a program at West Elementary School.

After Sarah and Russ retired, they spent many winter months in Florida where they could enjoy time with Sarah’s two older siblings and their spouses. They also traveled all across the United States. In 2011, on a trip to Yellowstone, Sarah was proud to visit her 50th state - Idaho. At home, Sarah loved having her house surrounded by beautiful flowers and spent many hours caring for them. She always decorated her home for every season and especially enjoyed Christmas. And like most of her siblings, she had a love for horses.

Sarah is survived by her daughter Debbie (Butch) Jenkins; son Darrin; grandchildren Justin (Julie) Jenkins, Courtney (Ryan) Minga, and Sarah “Chanelle” (John) Garrison; great-grandchildren Noah, Grayson, and Mason Jenkins; Luke and Maddie Minga; and Eleanor Garrison; special sister-in-law Betty Shoup; several nephews and nieces, and her cat Inky, who was a lifesaver after her husband passed away. She was preceded in death by her husband Russ, son Brian, and her 5 siblings: Anita (Shoup) Coffman, and Paul, Sam, Charles, and Linda Shoup, and her parents.

Friends and family may visit on Friday Oct 9th, 2026 at the 1st United Methodist Church from 10:30AM until 12 Noon. A celebration of life service will follow the visitation at Noon officiated by Rev. Nikki Baker. Graveside services will then take place following the service at Maple Grove Cemetery where she will be buried beside her husband Russ. Memorial donations in Sarah’s honor can be made to the Fairfield County Foundation, 162 E. Main St. Lancaster, OH 43130 designated towards the R. Brian Cline Memorial Engineering Scholarship Fund or to the1st United Methodist Church, 163 E Wheeling St. Lancaster, OH 43130. Online condolences can be made through the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home’s website at www.funeralhome.com