‘Make it a Grand Week’- Olivia Lobertini, The Grand on Central

‘We’re thankful God has blessed him with 80 years’- Joyce Walden about Dr. E. G. Cline

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- A grateful community came out in big numbers to celebrate longtime doctor E. G. Cline on Saturday afternoon at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church. He turns 80 today. “We just love having Sarah and E. G. with us here at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church,” said Joyce Walden.

Dr. Cline celebrated his 50th year in practice just last year ahead of his 80th birthday celebration over the weekend.

WLAF’s Charlie Hutson shares his photo gallery HERE.

Saturday’s celebration of Dr. E. G. Cline’s 80th birthday caught him almost totally by surprise, “Yes, I was somewhat surprised. Gotta little suspicious when she, his wife Sarah, said I’ve got to run by the church to drop off a gift for a wedding or some such,” said a laughing Cline. He added that the quantity of the surprise, the turnout, is what really is the surprise.

Back in 1974, a then very young Dr. E. G. Cline, chose to begin his medical practice in Campbell County. Ever since, La Follette has been his home. The Chattanooga native, a three sport star at the then new Brainerd High School in the early 1960s, earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University.

“This is a great milestone in life for Dr. E. G. Cline and the community, because we’ve had him in this community for more than 50 years. Dr. Cline’s a great doctor, and he’s one of the people who helped build the La Follette Hospital, and he’s still working today as the county medical examiner. It’s an honor to declare Monday, June 2, 2025, as Dr. E. G. Cline Day in Campbell County,” said Campbell County Mayor Jack Lynch.

Cline, who loves to play golf, also served his country in the military. Upon graduation from Vanderbilt in 1972, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

“Dr. Cline’s a great doctor. I worked with Dr. Cline through the Campbell County EMS, and there would be many times I’d radio in to the E-R and talk to him, and he’d tell me what medicines to administer to the patient. He was very good to his patients. I never saw him upset,” said Johnny Thompson.

“I’m a man of few words, as everyone laughed, and I cannot tell you how pleased and thrilled I am. It’s been a good 50 years here, and it’s been a true blessing to be a part of this community,” said Cline.

“He’s been a very good friend, and Steve, my late husband, and I would travel with E. G. and Sarah a lot. We were going up the coast one day near Cancun, and the police pulled us over. We had to pay the officer as he said “Do you have a tip for me?” We’ve gone to church with them for years and vacationed with E. G. and Sarah a bunch. They’ve been good friends,” said Donna Morris.

A big surprise came in a small box for the doctor on his special day. It was the announcement of the soon coming of another great grandchild, Elijah Cole, named after E. G., Elijah Grady.

“We just love having Sarah and E. G. with us here at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church, and E. G. has sung here in the church, and it was marvelous. I can remember him from way back when he’d come in to the drug store, Walden Drugs. He and Edd, the late Dr. Edd Walden, would talk for a long time.,” said Joyce Walden.

“What a crowd to come out, honor and celebrate Dr. Cline on a Saturday afternoon,” said Mayor Lynch. These folks here have walked through his life and he theirs, adds the mayor.

“We’re thankful God has blessed him with 80 years,” said Walden.

HERE and HERE are past stories from WLAF featuring Dr. E. G. Cline.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: â€œThere is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-06/02/2025-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)