Beverly Byrd Borders

Shelby, N.C. – Beverly Ann Byrd Borders, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cherished friend and former teacher to so many, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Feb. 26, 2026.

Beverly was born in 1952, in Granite Falls, N.C., to Willie and Mack Ray Byrd. After she graduated from UNC Greensboro, she landed a teaching position in Shelby, where she met her husband Robert “Bob” Wilson Borders Jr. They were married on June 26, 1976.

Beverly was a National Board-Certified teacher with Cleveland County Schools (mostly at Crest High School) and had a passion for sharing her knowledge with all her English, journalism and Latin students through the years. Full of life and always on the go, Beverly loved traveling all over the world with her family and friends, as well as hosting traveling families through Friendship Force. She had many interests and hobbies from travel to music, pottery, dance, the dramatic arts, and she was an avid reader. She cherished her family, being a loving wife to her husband Bob, outstanding mother to her son Will, fun-loving friend with her pals, and devoted member of her First Baptist Church family, giving back to her community and simply being a shining example of what God’s will looks like here on earth.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Willie Mae Fox Byrd and Mack Ray Byrd. She is survived by husband Robert Wilson Borders Jr., a son Will Henderson Borders and daughter-in-law Adrienne Smith Borders; granddaughters Willow and Harper Borders; brother-in-law Steve and Cindy Borders; Sister-in-law Nancy and Tim Paschall; Nieces and nephews, Ben (Melissa) Borders, Brandy (Jim) Curtis, Laura (Brad) Glaza and Anna (Philip) Paschall-Kellogg.

Beverly had so many that family and friends that loved her, and they’ll always keep her close in their hearts. Their separation from her is only temporary. She loved her grandchildren more than life itself. Please keep her entire family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time as they navigate life without her.

It is a time of rejoicing as she is no longer suffering and it is also a time to grieve, but to remember she has entered the Kingdom of Heaven and is now in the arms of Jesus.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 7, at First Baptist Church; visitation will be from 12:30 – 2 p.m., followed by the service at 2 p.m. Officiated by Rev. Asher Panton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations in Beverly’s memory to Eugenia H. Young Memorial Library, The Cleveland County Arts Council, or First Baptist Church of Shelby, N.C.

Funeral arrangements by Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Shelby Independent.