The Reverend Dr. Earle R. Haire

The Reverend Dr. Earle Ross Haire, 95, of Hendersonville, NC, a retired United Methodist Minister, died on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Elizabeth House. 

Known for his spirit, keen intellect, and unwavering sense of purpose, Reverend Dr. Haire touched countless lives throughout his over four decades of ministry and service. 

He was the son of the late Herman E. Haire and Pauline Jackson Haire of Jefferson, NC. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother, R. Phillip Haire and his late wife Nancy Smathers Haire. 

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Patricia Riley Haire; three daughters: Karen Haire Ward of Sumter, S.C. and her sons Stuart, Anderson, Ross, and Dayton; Paula Haire Lynch of Fort Worth, TX, her husband Frank Lynch and sons Clark and the Reverend Riley Lynch; RossAnn Haire McKee of Canton, GA and her husband the Reverend Mike McKee and sons the Reverends Michael and Myles McKee; and his son, the Reverend Deacon Earle Ross Haire Jr., PhD. of Hendersonville, N.C; along with 13 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Connie Haire of Sylva, NC, and three nephews, Phillip, Scott, and Tate Haire.

He was a graduate of Columbia Military Academy, Mars Hill College, A.A.; Emory University, B.A.; Duke University Divinity School, M.Div.; and received the Doctor of Divinity degree from Pfeiffer University in

1974. He also did post-graduate study at Union Theological Seminary, New York City, and Yale University Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut.

Earle was active in scouting as a boy. He received the Eagle Scout Award and was initiated into The Order of The Arrow. In high school and college, he was an outstanding student leader and athlete, winning honors in football, baseball, and swimming. He was President of Philomathean Literary Society, the "E" Club at Emory University, an officer of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and a Dean's List student.

In 1950 he heard and heeded a call to the ministry of the church. In 1953 he was ordained Deacon and in 1955 he was ordained Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served as Senior Minister of churches in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Valdese, Shelby, Statesville, Lexington, and Hendersonville.

During his ministry, Earle traveled throughout the Middle East, the Holy Land, Egypt, England, and Western Europe. While in the Middle East, he had an audience with King Hussein of Jordan, thanked him for the church's presence in Jordan, and discussed their children due to their similar ages. In 1969 Earle and Pat were selected to lead a seven-week trip and a youth caravan to Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. They also visited England and eight Western European Countries. This afforded opportunities for worship, work, and fellowship with many persons in these countries.

Earle's leadership in the church was recognized by two different Bishops when he was appointed District Superintendent: 1974 to 1980 he was Salisbury District Superintendent, and from 1990 to 1996 he was Statesville District Superintendent. He served for twelve years, under three Bishops, as a member of the Bishop's Cabinet. Across the years he was elected to numerous Boards, Agencies, Commissions, and Committees within the United Methodist Church. He served twelve years as a member of the Givens Estates Board of Directors, served for five years as a member of the Interfaith Assistance Ministry Board of Directors and twelve years as a member of the Board of the Methodist Retirement Home in Charlotte. He was elected Chairman of the Conference Committee on the Episcopacy, Vice-President of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, and Representative to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference for Pastors of Larger Churches. He served on the Alumni Council at Duke University as a representative of the Duke Divinity School. He was listed in "Who's Who in the United Methodist Church" and he was awarded Man of the Year in Valdese, NC.

From 1984 to 1990 Earle was Senior Minister of First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville. During these years he was very active in both church and community activities. He served two terms as President of the Henderson County Ministerial Association and was the General Chairman of the United Way. He also held the position of Division Chairman for the YMCA Capital Funds Drive. Additionally, he played a role in organizing and launching Interfaith Assistance Ministry. Alongside his friend, The Reverend Alex Viola of St. James Episcopal Church, he contributed to the Medical Loan Closet at St James Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Hendersonville Rotary Club and Oak Hills Racquet Club where he was an avid tennis player.

In appreciation of Earle and Pat's faithful service to the United Methodist Church and the Statesville District, a festive dinner and retirement party were held in The Memorial Hall of Broad Street United Methodist Church in Statesville, NC, June 1, 1996. Over 350 former parishioners, friends, family, and fellow ministers joined them for this gala event. An engraved plaque was presented to Earle which read:

"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much, who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children, who has filled his niche and accomplished his task, who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a lovely poem, or a rescued soul, who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it, who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had. His memory is a benediction." -R.L. Stevenson

In 1996, after 43 years of ministry to the church, Pat and Earle retired to Hendersonville. During his retirement he was a member of the Hendersonville Country Club, the Pardee Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, returned to Interfaith Assistance Ministry as a member of the Board of Directors, served on The Givens Estate Board of Directors, and The Board of Pensions of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 2001 The Supreme Council of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity honored him with lifetime membership in the Fraternity's Gold Chapter. He also received an alumni award from Emory University. 

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be conducted in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church Hendersonville on a later date in September. Ministers in charge of the service will be the Reverend Karen Easter-Bayne of First United Methodist Church and the Reverend Deacon E. R. Haire Jr. of St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Edneyville.

Following the memorial service, the family will greet friends in The Barber Christian Life Center. The Committal Service will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to The Shepherds Fund at First United Methodist Church 204 6th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC  28739 or Four Seasons Hospice Elizabeth House 571 South Allen Road, East Flat Rock, NC 28731. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Church Street Funeral & Cremation, and an online register is available at www.churchstreetfuneral.com.

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