Velma May Borders, daughter of William and Bertha Sizemore Sears, was born Nov. 18, 1933, in Warren County, Missouri, and departed this life on Monday, Sep. 27, 2021, at Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mountain Grove, with her family by her side, at the age of 87 years, 10 months and 9 days. She was united in marriage to Lee Borders on Aug. 11, 1954, and to this union four sons were born. Lee preceded her in death on Feb. 7, 2011. She was also preceded in death by her parents and 15 brothers and sisters. Velma is survived by her sons, James Borders and wife, Deana, of Mansfield; Ed Borders and wife, Becky, of Ringwood, Okla.; Norman Borders and wife, Connie, of Mansfield; and Lloyd Borders, of Mansfield; step-son, Delmer Borders and wife, Betty, of Rainer, Ore.; step-daughter, Darlene Graff and husband, Jerry, of Pasco, Wash.; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends She was born in Warren County, Missouri, and raised in Seymour. She worked at the Ken Ballew Hatchery in Mansfield until it closed and then was a cook at Mimosa Restaurant (later known as Little House Restaurant). Velma made a profession of faith in Christ many years ago and was a member of Glad Hill Church where she had taught Sunday school. In her spare time, she enjoyed canning, gardening, sewing, going out to eat and just being on the go somewhere. But the focus of her life was her family! She loved all her kids and grandkids and was the peacemaker when times got out of hand and could give tough love if the situation called for it. Velma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and a person who truly cared about other people. We celebrate her long life and will always cherish the many great and fun times we had together.
Funeral Services for Velma Borders were held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sep. 30, 2021, in the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mansfield. Bro. Ronnie Roy served as the officiant. Special songs were “I Can Only Imagine,” “Amazing Grace” and “Dancing In The Sky.” Serving as pallbearers were Ed Borders, James Borders, Norman Borders, Lloyd Borders, Justin Borders, Michael Tate and Jamain Borders. Honorary pallbearers were Kyle Murrow, Theron Compton, Brett Stop, Dalton Borders, Jason Bradshaw and Justin Thurman. Burial was in the Mansfield City Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mansfield.
