Edith Jordan Borden

Edith Jordan Borden, a life long resident and historian of Parker County, died Sunday, October 22, 2006 at her residence.Mrs. Borden was a legend for her research of Texas history and her church work at the First Baptist Church in Weatherford. She was known as its oldest continuous member and is recalled kindly by its many members."Mrs. Borden researched and wrote many articles for "The Handbook of Texas, " a history of the Lone Star State," said friend and local historian Martha McClung. "In earlier years, she was known as the historian of Parker County. She wrote the histories of Weatherford, Brock, Aledo, Millsap, Peaster, Poolville and Springtown. Additionally, she wrote histories of several smaller county communities, including Veal Station and she wrote the history of First Baptist Church of Weatherford," Mrs. McClung said."She was a very active church member. She wrote many articles for Texas magazines and she was well known in the state. She was very active and very intelligent," said Mrs. McClung.Longtime friend Martha Middleton said Mrs. Borden was an inspiration to all. "She was the epitome of elegance," Mrs. Middleton said. "She was so gracious and kind. She dressed beautifully; her skin was glorious. She was bright and her eyes just sparkled all the time."Mrs. Borden was Parker County's first female attorney, according to her husband of 66 years, Jack Borden. She graduated Cum Laude from Hardin-Simmons University. She received her Master's degree from the University of Texas in 1935 and after a stellar teaching career with the Weatherford Independent School District and Weatherford College, she decided to study law in 1961. She was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1964 and became the first woman in the county to obtain that honor. Her Master's thesis was published in 2005 and is titled "History of Parker County Texas Prior to 1936." Mrs. Borden was a Bible student and a longtime Sunday school teacher at First Baptist that celebrated its 150th anniversary in September. She was active in Baptist mission work and mission study. She was associated with the local chapter of the Business and Professional Women's Association and a world traveler.She was the daughter of pioneer Parker County residents, E.M. and Annie James Jordan. She was preceded in death by her parents, her twin brother, E.M. Jordan Jr. and four sisters.Mrs. Borden is survived by her husband, Jack Borden of Weatherford; nieces and nephews, Jamie Kyriakos and Edwin M. Jordan III of Albuquerque,NM, Richard W. Jordan and Jeanette Kelly of Denver, Colo., and Charles Spain of Cala. She is also survived by numerous great nieces, nephews including Paige Westhoff of Dallas, and U.S. Navy Lt. John Trenton Westhoff, and his wife, Amy of Pensacola, Fla., whom she called her grandchildren and are the children of nephew, John Westhoff and wife, Sue Ann, of Weatherford.Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at First Baptist Church in Weatherford, Palo Pinto Street and Alamo Street.Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct., 24, at White's Funeral Home, 130 Houston Avenue, Weatherford. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Scholarship Fund of First Baptist Church, 221 W. Church Street, Weatherford, Texas 76086.