Lena M. Strong Borders departed this life for her eternal home on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, NC.

She was born in Shelby, NC to the late Mary Harper and Dennis Strong on August 25,1937.

Lena graduated from Camp High School and married Harold L. Watson. To this union, a son was born, Trevionne Lamont Watson. Later, she married Joseph R. Borders. To this union, two children were born, Veronica C. Borders and Omar S. Borders.

She loved children and attended both Gaston Community College and Cleveland Community College for degrees in early childhood education. She later opened two childcare centers: Borders Infant Day Nursery and Noah's Little Ark. She worked in childcare for 29 years until she retired in 2005.

Lena was a devoted member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church where she was a former member of the board of trustees; a Sunday school teacher; Vacation Bible School teacher and a Deaconess along with other church ministries. Her community activities included being a member of the Disabled Veterans Association (DAV) and former membership in the Progressive Women's Club and the Round Dozen Book Club.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph R. Borders; two sisters, Joyce Singletary and Docia Puryear and one brother, Dennis Strong Jr.

Left to cherish her memories: her children, Trevionne Lamont Watson(Dorice) of Shelby, NC, Veronica C. Borders of Lowell, NC, and Omar S. Borders (Jessica) of Gastonia, NC; stepdaughter, Merrill Y. Wilkerson (Lorenzo) of Charlotte, NC; stepson, Lewis Nivens(Yvette) of Gastonia, NC; her grandchildren,Trevionne Watson II of Salem, VA, Aaron Watson and Taylor Borders both of Shelby, NC, Lexie Borders and Kylie Borders of Gastonia, NC; step grandchildren, Rallie Talbert IV of Brooklyn, NY, Zakhiya Borders of Charlotte, NC, Calvin Nivens of Gastonia, NC and Brandon Nivens of Atlanta, GA; her great-grandchildren, Aaron Watson Jr. of Boiling Springs, SC, Avalon Allen of Boiling Springs, SC, Trevionne Watson III of Duncan, SC, Alana Watson and Nova Sims of Shelby, NC; her great-greatgrandson, Karter Watson of Duncan, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services held on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Shelby at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until 1:00 PM on Thursday. Burial will take place at Sunset Cemetery.