Crayon Cornelius Efird (1904-1977)

Portrait from the E.S.C. Quarterly, Summer-Fall 1953.

   Another in a long line of unusually named figures who served in the North Carolina legislature during the first half of the twentieth century, Crayon Cornelius Efird is also the first political figure I've found that shares a first name with that multi-hued writing utensil we're all familiar with. Long a prominent Democrat in Stanly County, Efird would serve one term in the North Carolina state senate, and three years after the completion of that term was elected to the state house of representatives, where he also served one term. Born in Stanly County on October 28, 1904, Crayon Cornelius Efird was the son of Henry Polycarp and Sallie (Braswell) Efird. Efird's early schooling took place in Albemarle, North Carolina, and would graduate from the Albemarle High School. 

  In the early 1920s, Crayon Efird was the owner (along with partner C.H. McSwain) of the Albemarle city newsstand, which, in addition to newspapers and magazines, also dealt in "Cigars, Cigarettes, Candies, and Fruits." Efird continued his education at the University of North Carolina for a two year period and from 1926-27 served as a member of the state national guard. He later joined with his father in the latter's farm implement dealership, the H. P. Efird Co. Inc, a local dealer in International Harvester equipment. Crayon Efird served as its treasurer for a number of years and following his service in the legislature achieved further prominence in local business, being the president of the Albemarle Oil Co. and the Power City Bus Line. Efird would also deal in real estate and held the presidency of the Lake View Inc. real estate holding company.

  Crayon Efird made his first foray into North Carolina politics at age twenty-eight, winning election to the North Carolina Senate from the 19th senatorial district. His service during the 1933-35 session saw him as a member of the committees on the Corporation Commission; Counties, Cities, and Towns; Distribution of the Governor's Message; Education; Enrolled Bills; Institutions for the Blind; Labor and Commerce; Manufacturing; Military Affairs; Senate Expenditures; and Trustee's of the University.

From the 1933 North Carolina House of Representatives composite.

  Three years after leaving the Senate Efird announced his candidacy for the North Carolina House of Representatives, a contest he would win that November. His single term in the house extended from 1939-41 and would sit on the committees on Appropriations, Insane Asylums, Public Utilities, Roads, Salaries and Fees, and Unemployment Compensation. Efird married during his term in 1940 to Annabel Vester (1915-1999), and later had two children, Crayon Cornelius Jr. (born 1942) and Sally (born ca. 1947).

   After leaving the legislature in 1941 Efird continued in government service in the administration of Governor J. Melville Broughton, holding the post of assistant director of the North Carolina Division of Purchase and Contract from 1941-46. In 1953 Efird was named to North Carolina Employment Securities Commission for a four-year term and one year into his service on that commission was dealt tragedy with the death of his parents Henry and Sallie, who lost their lives in a car accident on September 4, 1954. The particulars of this accident were revealed in a write-up in Stanly News and Press and the Raleigh Observer (posted below) which related that Crayon Efird was driving the vehicle, with his parents in the back seat when a child ran into the road. An oncoming oil truck swerved to avoid hitting the child, and in turn, veered into the opposite lane and collided with the Efird's car. Henry and Sallie Efird were killed instantly in the crash and Crayon Efird himself survived with serious injuries, including a broken leg, an injured arm, and substantial loss of blood. The driver of the truck, Horace McLawhorn, was also severely injured and was later charged with manslaughter.

From the Raleigh News and Observer, 1954. Courtesy of Mr. Lewis Bramlett.

  Despite his grievous injuries, Efird recovered and in 1957 was reappointed to the E.S.C. for another four-year term that would conclude in 1961. After leaving that commission Efird continued residence in Stanly County, North Carolina, and was active in church work and fraternal groups, being a member of the Masonic lodge, the Oasis Temple of the Shrine, and the Stanly Shrine Club. Crayon Cornelius Efird died at age 72 on January 12, 1977, at the Stanly County Hospital. He was survived by his wife Annabel, and both were interred at the Fairview Memorial Park following their deaths.

Crayon C. Efird's 1939 campaign advertisement. Courtesy of Mr. Lewis Bramlett.