Ruth Efird

Ruth Gramentine Efird departed this life on July 18th, 2026. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 8, 1937, to James Turner and Helen Gramentine. Though her hometown was Akron, OH, predominantly; she grew up in a military family moving throughout the South and upper Midwest.

She attended Ohio University with a career in Nursing, medical administration, accounting and some substitute teaching. She married Alex McEachern Efird in July 1961 and returned with him to Wilmington, NC where they lived until his death in August 2024.

She attended St James Episcopal Church regularly and appreciated friends, bridge clubs, time at Wrightsville Beach, traveling and raising her children, Alex Efird Jr, Carol Efird Smith, grandchildren Robert T. Smith III, Ruth A. Smith, Alex E. Smith, and various pets.

She is survived by her son and grandchildren and preceded in death by daughters Carol Efird Smith, Grace F. Efird, her husband, parents, Aunt Ruth Meier, brother James W Gramentine, Brothers -in-law Claud L. Efird Jr, Thomas Edmund Efird II and members of the Gramentine, Meier, Efird, and McEachern families.

She very much loved and appreciated everyone she had the fortune to know and work with. Thanks to Griswold Homecare, Lower Cape Fear Hospice, St James Episcopal Church, Andrews Mortuary, Cape Fear Country Club and Carolina Yacht Club.

Graveside services will be at Oakdale Cemetery annex on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 10:00 am with a reception at 5426 Efird Road in Masonboro Reserve following the service.