Dorothy Burris Efird of Albemarle, N.C. passed away on August 25, 2018 at Spring Arbor in Albemarle, N.C. after an extended illness. She lived a wonderful and blessed life!

Dorothy was born on July 8, 1930 in Stanly County. She was the daughter of the late Vanuel Lee Burris and Osie Edwards Burris.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Arthur Reid Efird in 2001.

She is survived by her daughter, Elaine Efird Hollins (Russ) from Albemarle, N.C. and her son, Stanley Reid Efird (Jean) from Indian Trail, N.C.; two granddaughters, Nadalie Bowers (Watkins) from Albemarle, N.C. and Joy Greene (Bryan) from Trinity, N.C. and two grandsons, Larry Dennis (Regina) and Daniel Efird (Tricia) both from Indian Trail, N.C.

She is survived by 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by two brothers, Arthur David “Whitey” Burris and Johnny Reece Burris (Barbara) and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Newell Curtis Burris (Sarah) and Lula Faye Burris Lamonds (Ray), and a sister-in-law, Ann Burris.

Dorothy and her husband, Reid, owned and operated the community grocery store, Reid’s Grocery on the Old Aquadale Road for many years. She enjoyed helping her husband with errands and she was the bookkeeper for their company, Reid’s Backhoe Service.

Dorothy loved God and served as a member of Union Grove Baptist Church for over 57 years. She loved to teach the younger children at church. She volunteered at Vacation Bible School and was known for the wonderful children’s Sunday School parties she hosted at her home, especially the Halloween parties.

She took great pride in decorating the altar arrangements for her church and she did that as long as her health permitted.

Dorothy loved people and enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends. She was an avid walker and faithfully walked the walking trail at Rock Creek Park.

She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. She also enjoyed camping, fishing and doing crafts.

Dorothy always enjoyed working in her yard and gardening. She was recognized in her later years for the large Agava Century plant that she nurtured for 35 years. This plant only blooms once in its lifetime and it may grow between 50-100 years before it blooms. Dorothy prayed she would live to see it bloom. It did bloom, right before her health declined.

The family would like to thank the sitters who helped with Dorothy in her home and the staff at Spring Arbor Senior Living and The Cottage who showed her love and gave her exceptional care for several years.

The family would also like to thank Hospice of Stanly County for treating Dorothy with love and compassion during this difficult time.

Lastly, the family would like to thank Mrs. Louvine Bowers for her steadfast friendship with Dorothy. Dorothy was very blessed to have such a special friend in her life.

Stanly Funeral Home is serving the family.

Services will be held at Union Grove Baptist Church on Aquadale Road (Hwy. 138) in Albemarle, N.C. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall on Tuesday, August 28 at 3 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will take place in the sanctuary at 4 p.m. The burial will follow the service in the cemetery at Union Grove Baptist Church.

Memorials can be made to Union Grove Baptist Church 20514 N.C. 138 Hwy., Albemarle, NC 28001, or to Hospice of Stanly County, 920 North 1st Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.