Emily Virginia Efford

Emily Virginia Efford, 98, passed away peacefully in St. Augustine, FL on March 22, 2023. Born and raised in Raspeburg (near Baltimore) MD, she was the daughter of Richard & Eugenie Pueschel. After moving to Joppa MD in 1930, she was a graduate of Bel Air High School’s Class of 1941. Emily was proud of her athletic skills playing varsity volleyball and her literary talents writing for the school yearbook. While visiting her cousin, Bill Wainwright, in Baltimore, she met the love of her life, Raymond Efford. They were married shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor; Ray joined the Navy and went off to war. They were separated for over 2 years as he served aboard the destroyer USS Kimberly while Emily worked at defense contractor the Glenn L Martin Co. building war planes. After the war they made their home in Dundalk, Maryland where they made many lifelong friends and raised four sons with love and care. Emily was always a source of encouragement for her children instilling confidence and a strong work ethic. She would tell others that building her boys into caring, hard-working, respectful and humble men was her life’s achievement. She was so very proud of her family. She embraced her role as “Mom” with a compassion that left her boys always knowing she was there for whatever challenges they ran up against. With her trademark “You Who” she’d greet the room embodying positivity and an enthusiasm for life and friends that made everyone’s day brighter. Those that knew and loved her have say that "she was the sweetest person this side of heaven!" Emily had a strong faith and knew her heavenly Father. She was a member of Good Shepherd Church for over 60 years serving many years as a Sunday School teacher. She hosted the best neighborhood 4th of July and Labor Day parties and was known to serve the best Maryland crab soup around! She loved her neighborhood friends and often reminisced fondly of the ladies in her social group the “ENDS” (Emily, Nan, Doris, Shirley). Ray & Emily moved from Dundalk to Rock Hill SC in 2007 after living in the same house for over 60 years. Emily continued shining her bright light at Chandler Place and most recently at beautiful Silver Creek Assisted Living in St. Augustine, FL where she moved in 2017. She thrived in both communities passionately interacting with the residents and participating in the many activities. She loved writing and was a key contributor to her communities’ monthly newsletters as the Roving Reporter asking questions that enticed residents to share their memories or special talents. She also loved a good joke contributing some real belly whoppers. Emily was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, son Steve and brothers Harry and Louis. Emily is survived by sons David (Sherry), Wayne (Teresa) and Glen (Jen), grandchildren Paul, Ellen (Kevin), Olivia, Reid, Audrey and Casey and great grandchildren Aubri, Chelsi, Zeta, Holden, Wyatt and Eloise. A service to celebrate the wonderful light that was Emily will take place at Silver Creek Assisted Living 165 Silver Lane, St. Augustine, FL on April 6th at 2:30.

Emily Virginia Efford

May 25, 1924 - March 22, 2023