Willie S. Borden

Ms. Willie Sue Garrison Borden 80, Rockford, IL, gained her wings Tuesday, June 28th, 2022.

Bearing in mind that a few words on a page could never encapsulate the sum total of Willie Sue’s essence or what she meant to us, we offer the following in memory of her life.

Willie Sue (Garrison) Borden was born April 23, 1942 in Ripley, TN to the proud parents Thomas Garrison and Grace Cooper Garrison. She was also affectionately known to many as “Sue” and known to her parents and siblings as “Beauty” or Beaut.” 
She was the youngest of 9 siblings. 

Willie Sue graduated from Lauderdale High School, class of 1959. She accepted a hope in Christ at an early age and united with Elam Baptist Church in Durhamville, Tennesse where she sang in the youth choir. 

She moved to Rockford, IL with her loving husband Mack Louis Borden in in the 1960s 
Together they sealed their union through marriage on  April 27, 1964. Sue and Mack began their legacy birthing seven children—

She valued her spiritual walk with Christ and instilled the love of God into her children and grandchildren. For many years she was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. Sue worked outside the home at Hamilton Sundstrand for 15 years but her primary love and focus was being a wife, a homemaker and raising her 7 children.

Sue will always be remembered for her great soul food like her “Mean Greens” and “Momma’s Mac-n-Cheese.” In addition to great food, Sue delivered sharp-witted comments from the dinner table. And, it was not uncommon to see many of her children’s neighborhood friends join the family at the dinner table. Sue kept them laughing with her jokes and strong personality. She was never at a loss for words and would tell you exactly what was on her mind. She embarked bravery and resilience by the many tribulations she rose above. 

Sue was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. Sue was preceded in death by her loving husband of 35 years Mack Borden, and her adoring daughter Pamela Borden Mackey. Sue was also preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Grace Garrison of Ripley, TN.
and siblings JC Garrison, Thomas Garrison,
David Lee Garrison, Josephine Watkins, Marie Lee

“Momma” Sue was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her siblings Sammie Jean (Hattie Frank) Ripley,TN and Grace Burks Ripley,TN as  well as her children, Patrick (Tuseda) Borden of Pittsburg, CA, Priscilla (John) Linginfelter of Maryville, TN, Paula (Charles) Posley of Charlotte, NC Paul Borden, of Tampa, FL, Perginia (Stevie) Shank of Atlanta, GA, Phil Borden of Rockford, IL, and Peyton Borden of Rockford, IL. She is also survived by 13 loving grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and a host of friends. 

The family celebrates in Sue’s Homegoing to be with the Lord, and her being reunited with family that has gone before her. The Borden family extends our heartfelt thanks to all that have impacted Sue’s life in so many ways.

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14: 1-3

Willie Sue’s life will be celebrated during a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery, in Rockford, IL Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 1:00pm (CST).  

Special thank you to her neighbor and friend  Mary Beasley who always would visit and check on her,  and special Thanks to Sister Arthenia Newburn. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.