Allen Efird, age 85 of Malvern, died Thursday, March 11, 2021 at his home.  He was born at Willow, Arkansas on April 20, 1935 to the late William Carroll Efird and Elma Nora Hudson Efird.  Reared and educated in the Fairview Schools, he graduated high school at Caddo Gap.  Allen worked as parts manager for Crow-Burlingame for a number of years, and for the City of Malvern for 24 years.  He was a member of the Church of Faith.  Allen always had a big garden and looked forward to breaking ground when the season was right. He was also well known for raising and selling guineas at his farm.  Allen was the husband of Jo Ann Wheatley Efird, to whom he was married in November of 1955.  She was a devoted wife, and lovingly cared for him as his health declined. Allen loved his family and had many friends.  Always smiling, he was good at making quips to elicit laughs from those around him.  Placing others before him, he had a servant's heart.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann; by his children, Joy Efird Wiley and her husband, David of Malvern; Dr. Terry Layne Efird and his wife, Angie of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; Philip David Efird of St. Louis; and Scott Allen Efird and his wife, Kristi of Malvern; two sisters, Barbara Harper and her husband Wendell of Washington, and Dixie Whitley of Malvern; five grandchildren, Jared Wiley (Jessica), Jessica Layne Bellows (Alex), Alison Wright (Jarod), Eli Efird (Nevada), and Kazz Carmical (Tommy); and by seven great-grandchildren.

Allen was also preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

His funeral will be at eleven o'clock Monday morning, March 15, 2021 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brother Scott Efird officiating.

A visitation will precede the service by one hour, beginning at ten o'clock.

Pallbearers will be Eli Efird, Jared Wiley, Jarod Wright, Tommy Carmical, Kevin Whitley, Kyle Whitley, and Wayne Wheatley.

Honorary pallbearers will be: The Callas Family, James Cunningham, Richard Sulton, and Harold Keeney.