Marissa Nicole Borst

Marissa Nicole Borst, 19, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 1, 2021.  Marissa was a native of Cumberland County and was born to David N. & Vanessa Smith Borst on January 18, 2002.

She was a rising Sophomore at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC and was the recipient of the Meredith Legacy Scholarship.  Marissa was a 2020 graduate of Village Christian Academy, graduating as Valedictorian of her class.  Marissa made a wide variety of contributions to her school and classmates; such as being a Varsity Cheerleader throughout high school, member of the Student Government as well as the National Honor Society, a Duke Tip scholar, Yearbook Staff throughout high school and Editor two years in a row. In her senior year, Marissa participated in the Mock Trial and was blessed to be able to go on the Senior Mission Trip to Honduras.  In Honduras, Marissa’s life was forever impacted and she impacted the life of others.  Being a Senior Buddy brought joy to Marissa because of her love for children which continued to show through her work with the Meredith Autism Program.  She also volunteered at Cape Fear Valley Health System for three years. 

Marissa loved dance and studied with Cumberland Dance Academy for 15 years.  Theatre was another passion and she participated in productions at VCA and Cape Fear Regional Theatre. 

Marissa had a deep love for God and family.  She loved traveling with her mom and playing board games, paintball and doing escape rooms with her cousins.  In her younger years, she was a faithful member of Camp Ground UMC and later moved to Village Baptist Church where she loved to praise and worship her Savior. 

Marissa was passionate about her education and was an excellent student and even better human being with a love for people.  She enjoyed reading, baking, horses, walking and playing with her fur baby, Peanut.  She loved watching TV and her favorite movies. 

She is survived by her mother, Vanessa Smith Borst; father, David Nick Borst; grandparents, David and Kerry Borst of Ortonville, Michigan; aunts and uncles, Robin and Allen Heffelbower of Wagram, NC, Billy and Kimberly Evers of Hope Mills, NC, Lindon and Sara Munro of Taylor, Michigan, Billy and Beth Starr of Ortonville, Michigan; beloved cousins, Alan Michael Heffelbower, Trey Evers, Charlie Evers, Derrick Heffelbower, Rebekah Munro, Abigail Munroe, Andrew Munro, Gracie Starr, Clare Starr, and Nathan Starr.

She is preceeded in death by her maternal grandparents, Charles and Bonnie Smith. 

Visitation will be at Village Baptist Church on McPherson Church Road, Fayetteville, NC on Thursday, August 5, at 1 pm followed immediately by a Celebration of Life Service at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Meredith Autism Program, 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607-5298.

Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28301

Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com

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