July 25, 2022, 88, Goldsboro –

Edwin Brownrigg Borden died peacefully surrounded by his children on Monday, July 25, 2022. He was born in Goldsboro on March 31, 1934. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Mary Martin Williamson Borden, his parents, Edwin B. Borden III and Wilmer K. Borden, as well as his son, Edwin B. Borden. He is survived by his children, Lee Borden and wife, Mary Mills, of Goldsboro, Martin Borden and wife, Elizabeth, of Raleigh, and Martha Roberson and husband, Wilborn, of Winchester, VA. He is also survived by his brother, Bob Borden and wife Vicky of Chapel Hill, sister Dana Lacy and husband, Scott of Greensboro, and brother-in-law Bill Williamson and wife, Pat of Charlotte. In addition, he is survived by his eight grandchildren Elizabeth Borden, Will Borden and wife Haley, Edwin Borden II and wife Hailey, Charles Borden, Mary Ann Borden, Holt Roberson, Michael Roberson, and Sarah Roberson. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as longtime family friends Virginia Coley and Eston Edwards.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 30th at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 200 N. James Street, Goldsboro, NC. A private family graveside service will follow. The family will receive friends at the home on Friday, July 29th, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Ed grew up in Goldsboro, living in the F.K. Borden house, which was constructed by his grandfather. He graduated from Woodberry Forest School in Virginia in 1952. He then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated in 1956 with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he served two years in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Jackson, SC. In 1958, he returned to Goldsboro to work at The Borden Manufacturing Company, which was started by his grandfather. He worked in various capacities at the company, including President and CEO from 1970 until his retirement in 1997. Ed always created a family atmosphere at Borden Manufacturing, and employees often expressed their pride at being a part of this workplace family.

Ed was always willing to give of his time and talents, whether to his family, his community, his employees, his church, or numerous professional organizations. He served the City of Goldsboro, Wayne County, and the State of North Carolina in a variety of ways. He was an active board member for numerous organizations including the American Textile Manufacturer’s Institute, the American Yarn Spinners Association, the North Carolina Textile Manufacturer’s Association, AmeriCap Corporation, Borden Brick & Tile Company, First Federal Savings & Loan, Jefferson Pilot Financial , Mount Olive Pickle Company, Progress Energy, Ruddick Corporation (the parent Company of Harris Teeter and American & Efird Mills), Triangle Bancorp, Winston Hotels, AAA Carolinas, the NC Global TransPark Foundation, the North Carolina Citizens for Business & Industry, and the North Carolina Humanities Council.

Locally, he served as a Director for the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Wayne County, the Salvation Army, Wayne Memorial Hospital, and the Wayne County Economic Development Commission, as well as a longtime volunteer for the WAGES Meals-on-Wheels program.

He was actively involved with his alma maters in numerous capacities, including the Board of Trustees for Woodberry Forest School and the Morehead Foundation Central Selection Committee, the NC Institute for the Arts & Humanities and the Board of Visitors for UNC-Chapel Hill.

Some of Ed’s recognition included the Goldsboro Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, the Tuscarora Council of the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, Wayne County Industrialist of the Year, Eastern North Carolina Industrialist of the Year, the Woodberry Forest School Distinguished Service Award, the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation Lifetime Achievement Award and the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone Award.

Ed was Chairman of the Wayne County Community Memorial Association Board of Directors for several years. After the Community Building was destroyed by fire in May of 2004, he oversaw the thoughtful and well-planned restoration efforts at the former building site, which culminated in the opening of the new Wayne County Veteran’s Memorial Park in November of 2011.

A lifelong member of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, he served numerous terms on the Vestry and as Junior and Senior Warden and was a current member of the Endowment Committee. He was also a member of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern North Carolina. He and Mary Martin, along with others, were instrumental in taking the Goldsboro Family YMCA from a dream to a reality.

An avid sportsman, Ed enjoyed his time at the Morehead City coast and at Camp Bryan Farms, where many memories were made with his children and grandchildren. Ed loved rooting for his beloved Tar Heels, despite the conflict that could arise from being married to a Duke University graduate. Ed had an appeal that crossed all generations and walks of life, and always had a humorous story for anyone who was willing to listen. He truly never met a stranger.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church Memorials Fund, P.O. Box 984, Goldsboro, NC 27533 or to the Borden Family Scholarship Fund at Woodberry Forest School, 898 Woodberry Forest Road, Woodberry Forest, VA 22989.