Elderie B. (Collie) Efird

Elderie B. (Collie) Efird, age 93, of Bismarck passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at her home. She was born July 3, 1931 in Long Beach, California to the late Clifford and Nettie (McClard) Collie. She was a faithful member of Caney Missionary Baptist Church. Elderie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, G.V. Efird; and grandson, Brett Martin.

Survivors include her children, Donna Martin, Carolyn (Luke) Nivens, and Ronnie (Regina) Efird, all of Bismarck; grandchildren, Jodie (Mike) Holt of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jamie (Tara) Martin of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Robyn (Mark) Chastain of Cave Springs, Arkansas, Brian (Jamie) Nivens of Bryant, Arkansas, Brooke (Aaron) Shoemaker of Hallsville, Texas, Derek (Holly) Efird of Bismarck, Arkansas; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild with another great-great-grandchild on the way. Elderie is also survived by a special sister-in-law, LaVerne (Tommy) Cagle and a host of cousins and friends who will miss her dearly.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel. Funeral services are 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 31, 2025 at Caney Missionary Baptist Church with Brother Robert Cossey, Brother Ralph Ruffin, and Brother Brian Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie Bayou Cemetery. Pallbearers are Braden Efird, Canon Copeland, Bricen Copeland, Kason Copeland, Jesse Parker, Cooper Chastain, Aidan Martin, Braxton Nivens, and Drew Waters. Honorary pallbearers are her grandsons. Memorials may be made to Caney Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Paul Sanders, 4118 Highway 128, Bismarck, Arkansas 71929. The family would like to thank Elite Hospice Care and caregiver, Joyce Morris for their outstanding care for Elderie. Arrangements are by Smith Family Funeral Home-Arkadelphia/Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923, www.smithfamilycares.com.