Mildred Efland

EFLAND (Fincher),

Mildred

Mildred Fincher Efland of Dunwoody, GA, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, at the age of 103. Originally from LaGrange, GA, she was born on June 16, 1922, the first of three daughters to Annie Pitman and Millard Fillmore Fincher. Mildred attended LaGrange public schools, graduating from LaGrange High School, in 1938.

Continuing her education at Wesleyan Conservatory in Macon, GA, she earned a Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in piano and music theory. Upon graduation, she began her music teaching career in Cook County, GA public schools. After two years there, and summer study in North Carolina, she returned to Wesleyan to teach in the music theory department, also continuing piano study under Professor Joseph Maerz. She moved to Hickory, NC, in 1944, to teach piano and theory at Lenoir Rhyne College. During this time Mildred met Mack Paul Efland, a navy pilot who was home on leave. After only five dates they became engaged and were married in December of 1945.

After WWII, they lived in Bethesda, MD, and then moved to Mack's hometown of Efland, NC. After business transfers to Nashville, TN, Greensboro, NC and Atlanta, they settled in Dunwoody, GA, in 1969. During their transfer times, Mildred maintained her activity in the music world - writing program notes for the Nashville Symphony and co-authoring a student booklet for symphony concerts. Her final Atlanta Symphony Orchestra activity was editing music scores for the Atlanta Symphony prior to orchestra rehearsals. After Mack's retirement from Coats & Clark Corp., they enjoyed many years of adventure in the States, China, and various trips to Europe. Mack preceded Mildred in death, passing away on March 31, 2018, ending a longtime love affair and a marriage of 72 years and three months.

Survivors are children, Barbara Efland Delon (Gerald), Chris Efland Orlie (Michael), and Mack Paul Efland III (Molly); grandchildren, Katharine Delon Rodgers (Mathew) and Christopher Matthew Delon; great-grandchildren, Ethan and Genevieve Rodgers; and many much loved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters, Miriam Fincher Todd, of Shelby NC, and Phyllis Fincher Smith of Arlington, TX.

A memorial service will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 4795 N. Peachtree Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338, on October 4, at 1:00 PM.

Donations, in Mildred's memory, may be made to St. Barnabas Anglican Church, where Mildred was a devoted parishioner, or to a charity of your choice.