Andrew Clinton Borders

Andrew Clinton Borders, 92, died Sunday, January 16, 2011.

He was born on September 23, 1918, in Red Bud, Ga, a farming community near Calhoun, to Andrew Martin and Hattie Bonnell Rush Borders. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to the Horseshoe Bend community in Macon County, and later moved to Marshallville where Andy graduated from high school.

In 1942, Andy joined the Army Air Corps with hopes of being a pilot, but when it was determined that he was colorblind, he trained as a mechanic and gunner on the B-17 bomber. He flew an amazing 34 missions over northern Germany in 1943 and 1944, the details of which he has documented in his personal memoirs. A narration of his WW II experiences was filmed in his home by PBS in 2007.

Andy met Pauline Carpenter in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he was stationed at Grenier Field. They began a loving relationship and when he was shipped out to Orlando, Fla. for continued training, "Polly" followed him. They married in Orlando in 1943, before he was transferred overseas.

Following WW II, Andy and Polly settled in Perry, GA, and Andy began a long, distinguished career at Flint Electric Membership Corporation. Flint transferred him to Reynolds shortly thereafter and the couple became active members of the Methodist Church and the community. Having begun at Flint EMC as a meter reader, Andy eventually was promoted through the ranks to District Manager in Reynolds. While in Reynolds, Andy developed a passion for golf and played an integral part in reviving the Reynolds Golf Club. He also became a member of the Reynolds Masonic Lodge and rose to Worshipful Master. Recognizing Andy's management skills, Flint promoted him to District Manager of Flint EMC in Warner Robins. The couple transferred their church membership to the First United Methodist Church where Polly eventually became church secretary and Andy sang in the choir. They were married for 32 years when Polly succumbed to cancer in February of 1975, while living in Warner Robins.

Andy also joined the Optimist Club and Perry Country Club. In 1978, he became Chairman of the Houston County Development Authority and served in that position for seventeen years. A street in Centerville, Borders Way, was dedicated to him.

In 1976, Andy married educator Cornelia Moore Cooper of Warner Robins, They began a wonderful time of travel, music, friends and family gatherings. In 1982, Andy retired from Flint EMC. He and Cornelia traveled all over the country. Eventually they bought a home in Inverness, Florida where they retreated in the winter for many years. Summers were spent at Lake Burton in northern Georgia. During his retirement, Andy took violin lessons and capitalized on his musical ability to play "by ear"; he and Cornelia also led the musical portion of their Sunday school class. Cornelia passed away in 2008, after 32 years of marriage.

In the summer of 2009, a former neighbor from Reynolds, Mary Nan Monfort, came into his life. Andy and Mary Nan were married in November, 2009, and lived in Warner Robins.

Andy was born into a large family of two brothers and two sisters. They all preceded him in death: Joe (Katherine) Borders, Perry, Jim (Mabel) Borders, Fort Valley, Annie (James) Beeland, Perry, and Grace Borders, Marshallville. Andy has one son, Chris (Patricia) of Woodstock, Ga. stepchildren Bob (Joanne) Cooper, Warner Robins, Scott Posey (Holly), Reynolds, and Cynthia Middleton (Todd), Harrisburg, NC. Surviving him also are his step grandchildren Rob (Joy) Cooper, Warner Robins, Erin Hutchins (Ryan), Raleigh, NC, Burton Posey (Rebecca), (Atlanta), Lydia Middleton and Bailey Middleton, Harrisburg, NC; step-great-grandchildren Josephine Eliza Cooper and Sarah Madeline Cooper, Warner Robins, and Caroline Hutchins, Raleigh, NC; and many nephews and nieces. Having lived a long and interesting life, Andy has had many names in the family: he was called "Clint" by his parents, "Andy" by his three wives and step family, "Uncle Pete" by his nieces and nephews and "Pop" by his son.

A visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church in Warner Robins at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m., Dr. Jimmy Asbell officiating. Interment will be at Magnolia Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 205 N. Davis Drive, Warner Robins GA 31093.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088