Karen Emory Haire, 75, passed away unexpectedly at Duke University Hospital on March 7, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was born in Hoopeston, IL, the daughter of the late Harold and Faye Emory. She attended Eastern Illinois University and lived in many cities before settling in Raleigh in 1973. She was known as a fun and wonderful daughter, friend, wife, mother, teacher, leader, neighbor and person. She cherished all the people she befriended over the years and truly enjoyed keeping in touch with everyone from her childhood friends to the local grocery store manager. She loved her travels around the world with her family and her friends and loved a good meal with her favorite people.
She taught professionally for over 20 years at many schools but was most proud of opening and retiring from Leesville Road Elementary School as the media specialist and computer sys-op. It is believed that she taught knitting ‘non-professionally’ to hundreds of Raleigh residents and beyond. Needles up!
Karen was a long-time member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, a member of The Woman’s Club of Raleigh and proud Alpha Gamma Delta alumna.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, William John Haire. Karen is survived by her daughter, Jodi Haire and her husband Jay Cupstid, her daughter Jana Gudger and her husband Dr. Chris Gudger and their daughter and Karen’s beloved granddaughter, Emory Gudger.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 4415 Pleasant Grove Church Road, Raleigh, NC. In typical Karen style, a second service in Paris, Illinois will be held at the Templeton Funeral Home at 2pm on Saturday, March 24, 2018 following which she will be interred at the Payne Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church or to the American Cancer Society of Greater Raleigh.
