Harward Efird

Harward Dry Efird, 81, of Monroe, formerly of Oakboro, passed away Thursday, October 6, 2011, at Presbyterian Main Harris Hospice Unit in Charlotte. The family will receive friends from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, where he was a lifelong member. Pastor Judy Copeland will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. At other times, the family will meet at his home. Mr. Efird was born August 27, 1930 in Stanly County to the late Ira P. Efird and Lona Dry Efird. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Ledford Efird of the home; two sons, Howard Hayes Efird and wife, Paula, of Florence, SC, and James Wilson “Jimmy” Efird and wife, Janet, of Monroe; one daughter, Susan Efird Van Sickle of Matthews; grandchildren, Jessica Amanda “Mandy” Efird, Andrew Simpson Efird, Nathan Ira Efird, Jacob Wilson Efird, William Tanner Van Sickle, and Cameron Hayes Van Sickle; and one son-in-law, Bill Van Sickle A graduate of Oakboro High School, he attended Lenoir-Rhyne College. He was the owner/operator of Western Motor Company in Oakboro for many years. Mr. Efird was a member of the Oakboro Lions Club, the Oakboro City Fire Department, and was Chairman of St. Martin’s Church Council. Memorials may be made to St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, PO Box 429, Oakboro, NC 28129. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Efird family.