Earline Eugenia (Hewitt-Borders) Christian

Earline Eugenia (Hewitt-Borders) Christian, 84, of Springfield passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at St. John's Hospital. Earline was born October 13, 1924 in Florence, AL, the daughter of Eugene and Armenta Boddie Hewitt. She married Purnell Ledrew Borders, he preceded her in death. She later married Curtis Christian, he also preceded her in death. Earline received her Bachelor's of Science degree and also did some post graduate work at Alabama A & M University. She taught elementary school in Florence, AL before moving to Springfield where she taught special education for the Hope School for the Blind/Disabled. At the Hope School, Earline was named Outstanding Teacher. She retired after twenty-five years and went on to retire again from the State of Illinois Department of Human Rights where she was a Human Rights Investigator. Earline was a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, a member of the Annie L. Wilson Circle and a member of the Mother's Board at Union Baptist Church. She was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is survived by three sons, Purnell (wife, Jan), Alan (wife, Suk) and Maurice (wife, Gale) Borders; one daughter, Armenta Johnson; nine grandchildren, Carla (husband, Alan) Smith, Steven Ray (wife, Priscella), Purnell L. III (wife, Farrah), Celeste, Monique (companion, Dennis), Mario (wife, Kari), and Lyrin Borders, William L. Grant II, and Alan D. Brents; and seventeen great-grandchildren, Randall Hurst, Janelle, Julia, and Kai Smith, Steven Ray Borders, Ashley, Alicia, Madison, Jordan, Darius, Nate, Anna Marie, Abby Borders, Nevaeh Washum-Borders, and Isiah Jenkins, Chloe Young, and Zion Brents; aunt, Margaret Fuqua; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Family will receive friends from 11:00 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at Union Baptist Church, 1405 E. Monroe St., Springfield. Funeral ceremonies will follow visitation at 12:00 p.m. at Union Baptist Church with Rev. T. Ray McJunkins officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Baptist Educational Scholarship Program, 1405 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62703.