Paula Jean Borders

Paula Jean (Southard) Andrews Borders of Newburgh, IN, left her earthly body to spend eternity with Jesus on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Paula was born July 20, 1941, in Olney, MO, to Homer and Inez Southard. Paula faced many challenges as a young lady including the death of her mother when she was just four years old. Her fondest childhood memories were spending time with her grandmother, Lillie Ann, learning to sew and cook. She loved playing outside with her dogs Chico and Baby, her brothers Buddy and Sonny, sister Dodey, and built in very best friend, sister, Ruby.

After graduating from Collinsville High School, Paula began working in downtown St. Louis. She often said how much she loved watching the Gateway Arch be built on her daily bus rides. Paula taught herself to play the organ and loved to sing. She shared her talents in several choirs over the years. Paula met William Robert Andrews while working together at Christian Welfare Hospital. Their friendship soon turned to love and they married in 1961. Paula said it wasn't until her and Bill fully surrendered their lives to Jesus that they were blessed with their precious only child David in April 1978. Paula completely dedicated her life to making a happy home. She worked as the school secretary for Son Life Christian School from the time Dave was in kindergarten through his high school graduation. She was known as "mom" to so many through the years. Sadly, Bill passed away in February of 2001 and in the summer of 2002, Dave was starting his own family in Washington, IN. This was a challenging time for Paula, but an answer to her prayer was found when she married her beloved Robert "Bob" Borders in December 2009. The happy couple joyfully served in prison ministry, traveled, and spent as much time as they could loving on their grandchildren. Tragically Bob died in 2015 after a short battle with cancer. Soon after, Paula moved to Robards, KY to be closer to Dave and his family.

Paula will be remembered as a fierce prayer warrior, for having a huge laugh, her supernatural attention to the smallest detail, and her enormous pride, and love for her family. Those lucky enough to get her 365 days a year "Good Morning" text message long for the day we see her again.

Paula is loved this side of Heaven by her dear sister Ruby Burns, her son David (Kellie) Andrews, daughter Rose Lankford, son Robert "Bob" (Kelly) Borders, daughter Mary (Steve) Davinroy, daughter Betty Pejakovich, grandchildren Isaac, Sarah, and Emmah Andrews, Jason (Heather), Scott, and Jennifer Lankford, Sam (Lauren) Zach, Gabby Borders (Elizabeth Zuber), Caleb and Jacob Davinroy, Seth Pejakovich, 10 great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Saturday, March 7, 2026, friends and family may visit from 11-1 before a celebration of life beginning at 1pm. Services will be held at Sunset Hill Funeral Home 50 Fountain Dr. Glen Carbon, IL 62034. Memorial contributions may be made in Paula's memory to First Fruits Ministries, firstfruitministries.org