Theresa Marie Borum was called to her heavenly home to rest, on March 1, 2023, at 10:40 PM with her daughter and granddaughter at her side. Born on October 7, 1932, she was the eldest daughter of ten children born to the late Hamilton Garland and Lucile Harrod Thornton in York County, Virginia. She is especially remembered for her quiet and gentle spirit to most, and a woman of noble character with unconditional love for her children, grandchildren, siblings, family members, and friends.
She graduated from York County Training School in 1948, after which she attended Peninsula Business College in Newport News, Virginia graduating as Salutatorian of her class. She then began her Civil Service career as a Clerk Typist in the Civilian Personnel Office of Fort Eustis, Virginia. Throughout her career, she worked in a variety of positions, including Typing Pool for the U.S. Army Transportation School; Incentive Awards Clerk in the Civilian Personnel Office; Procurement Clerk in the Directorate of Industrial Operations; and Supply Clerk for the Fort Eustis Troop Issue Subsistence Branch. Theresa culminated her career as Purchasing Agent in the Directorate of Contracting with over twenty-eight years of civilian service.
Theresa married the late Thomas Wardell Borum on January 29, 1950, with whom she enjoyed fifty-seven years of marriage until his death in 2007. To this union, three children were born, two of which preceded her in death – Harold L. Borum in 1970 and Steven T. Borum in 1985. Her siblings Virgie Watkins, Gloria Tate, Hamilton Thornton, and Delores Epps also preceded her in death.
At an early age, Theresa accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was an active lifelong member of Grafton Baptist Church – Harris Grove. There is no doubt that she loved her church family. She enjoyed attending Noon Day bible study on Wednesdays and Adult Sunday School Class on Sundays. She honored the Lord with her gifts as she selflessly served as a member of the Senior Choir, Children’s Sunday School teacher, Seniors on the Move Ministry, Drama Ministry, and Christian Education Ministry. Because she was held in high regard, she became the First Female Trustee of Grafton Baptist Church and held the esteemed position of Mother of the Church, an honor that her dearest mother also held.
For the last four years of her life, she lived in Maryland, where she graced her daughter and granddaughter with her day-to-day presence. She eventually moved into Inspirations Assisted Living, where she received impeccable care surrounded by the love of family and her caretakers until she transitioned to her eternal resting place.
Theresa was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and confidante. She is survived by her daughter, Joan Delores Borum; granddaughter, La Rhonda Borum Nicholas (Carl); great-granddaughter, Kyndall Renae Nicholas; great-grandson, Donovan Carl Nicholas; sisters, Retha Whitley, Joyce Thornton, Emma Thornton, and Ruth Thornton. She will sorely be missed by a host of nieces and nephews and a devoted friend, David Patrick, whom she loved as a son.
No words could adequately convey how much we all will miss her physical presence on earth, her warm and loving smile, her quiet and gentle spirit, and her wisdom and joy for life.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Grafton Baptist Church – Harris Grove. Live stream will be available at the beginning of the service. Interment to follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Borum may be viewed in the church on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com
