Paula Jean Borders

Paula Jean Borders of Newburgh, Indiana, passed away on March 1, 2026, and entered eternity with Jesus. Born on July 20, 1941, in Olney, Missouri, to Homer and Inez Southard, Paula faced early hardship with the loss of her mother at age four. Her happiest childhood memories centered on time spent with her grandmother Lillie Ann, learning to sew and cook, and playing outdoors with her dogs Chico and Baby alongside her brothers Buddy and Sonny, her sister Dodey, and her closest friend and sister, Ruby.

After graduating from Collinsville High School, Paula worked in downtown St. Louis, where she enjoyed watching the Gateway Arch rise during her daily bus commutes. She taught herself to play the organ, loved to sing, and shared her musical gifts in church choirs for many years. She met William Robert Andrews while working at Christian Welfare Hospital, and the two married in 1961. Their only child, David, was born in April 1978 after they fully committed their lives to Jesus. Paula devoted herself to creating a loving home and served for many years as school secretary at Son Life Christian School, where she became known as “Mom” to generations of students.

Following Bill’s death in 2001, Paula later found companionship and joy when she married Robert “Bob” Borders in December 2009. Together they served in prison ministry, traveled, and cherished time with their grandchildren until Bob’s passing in 2015. Paula then moved to Robards, Kentucky, to be near her son and his family.

She will be remembered as a fierce prayer warrior with a booming laugh, an extraordinary eye for detail, and boundless pride and love for her family. Paula is survived by her sister Ruby Burns, her son David (Kellie) Andrews, daughters Rose Lankford, Mary (Steve) Davinroy, and Betty Pejakovich, son Robert “Bob” (Kelly) Borders, grandchildren Isaac, Sarah, and Emmah Andrews, Chloe and Zachary Denton, Jason (Heather), Scott, and Jennifer Lankford, Sam (Lauren), Zach, Gabby (Elizabeth Zuber), Caleb and Jacob Davinroy, and Seth Pejakovich, ten great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.