WILMINGTON — Margaret “Peggy” McCanless Efird entered eternity on June 13, 2025 to be with her Lord and Savior.
Peggy was born on April 25, 1934, in Salisbury, NC to the late George Manney and Margaret Jordan McCanless. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School (K-8), Boyden High School and Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC.
Peggy married J. Frank Efird of Albemarle, NC on June 18, 1955. They were married 70 years. They were blessed with four children, Jan Elizabeth Efird, of the home, Ellis Efird Furst (Don) of Wilmington, J. Frank Efird Jr, of Wilmington, and Margaret Efird Edwards (Win) of Morehead City. Their six granddaughters are Paris Helene Furst, Juliet Airlie Furst, Evangeline Grace Furst, Margaret Ellen Edwards Atkinson (Wes), Claire Edwards Valliere (Jacob) and Sarah Edwards Manning (William). They have two great-grandsons, Everett and Fletcher Atkinson.
Peggy is survived by two sisters, Georgianna McCanless and Connie Duncil and one brother, George McCanless (Rebecca), and many nieces and nephews.
Peggy and Frank moved from Salisbury to New Bern, NC in 1964, with Stanley Power Tools. Soon they began Efird Company, a real estate and development company. Peggy and Frank purchased a 1200 acre farm in Craven County and developed a waterfront community on the Trent River called River Bend Plantation. They developed a golf course, racquet club, pool, marina and riding academy. In 1981, it was incorporated as the town of River Bend. Fifty years later, the thriving town of River Bend is home to over 3000 residents who enjoy Peggy and Frank’s vision of a planned community.
Upon retirement, the Efirds relocated to Wilmington. Peggy taught Sunday School at Wrightsville United Methodist Church for over 33 years and was known for her creative style of presenting scripture using many visuals, charts and her famous skits. The Greatest Story Ever Told was her favorite script. She was President of the board of Methodist Children’s Home for 2 years and a leader in Cape Fear and Coastal Emmaus Communities. With a true servants heart, she contributed her time and talents to church, family and community. A continual stream of cards were mailed from her home to countless grateful friends and family. She crafted personal expressions of love and encouragement, giving strength and faith in Christ to everyone and in every circumstance.
Peggy loved planning family times filled with skits and songs. Her passion for family history and scrapbooking has preserved a vital legacy for her family and descendants.
Peggy was content in God’s creation and was assured of her salvation in Jesus Christ. She saw His color and design in everything and she found Him everywhere. He was the Hero of her story.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wrightsville United Methodist Church or to Samaritan’s Purse.
