Alissa Kimberly Haire

Alissa Kimberly (Smith) Haire, 53, of Buda, TX, lost her courageous battle with cancer on January 6, 2024. She was born in Austin, TX on November 2, 1970, to Ronald Kinzy and Barbara Kay (Miller) Smith.

Alissa attended Odom and Oak Hill Elementary Schools, Porter Middle School, and Travis High, and was in Bowie High School’s first graduating class, in 1989, in Austin, TX. She received a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas in 1993. She taught at Boone and Langford Elementary in Austin for 8 years before moving to Elm Grove Elementary in Buda, where she has taught for the past 16 years. Alissa truly loved watching her children master lifelong learning skills in what she knew was her calling in life, and felt blessed with the friendships of the Elm Grove faculty and staff, many parents, and former students.

Music was an important part of Alissa’s life. She began singing from age four through high school in the graded music program at First Baptist Church, Austin, under the direction of Bob and Millie Downer. She continued to sing with the church’s young women’s choir, Cantamos, while in college and was also a member of the Handbell Choir. Alissa began studying violin at the University of Texas String Project at the age of eight and played for the next ten years in their orchestras and with her school’s orchestra.

In 1993, Alissa and Shane were married and soon after, she began her teaching career. Three years later, they welcomed their son, William.

After moving from Austin to Buda, Alissa, Shane, and William joined First Baptist Church of Buda where they felt at home and formed new friendships in Nancy Johnson’s Sunday School class and throughout the Church.

An avid reader, Alissa particularly liked books on American History and Historical Fiction. She also enjoyed scrapbooking and crocheting. Being the family’s genealogist, taking care of two Mini Rex rabbits that accompanied her daily to her classroom, and caring for a dog or two rescued from animal shelters, kept her busy.

In addition to her parents, Alissa is survived by her husband of 30 years, William Shane Haire, son William Rhett and daughter-in-law Eva Elizabeth Haire, brother Aaron Kinly and sister-in-law Amy Katrina Smith, nephew Elliot Joseph Smith, aunt Vernett (Richard) Safford, uncle Tom Royder III, cousins Tom (Karrie) Royder IV, Scott Royder, Rhonda (Jim) Keyt, Kevin (Katya) Safford, Amanda (Nick) MaGee, Michael Safford, David (Hilda) Strangmeier, Deborah McDonald, Rosanna (David) Reuter, and numerous other relatives.

Preceding Alissa in death were grandparents James Isaac and Margaret Flora (Friedman) Miller, Vernie Mead and Mary Charlene (Maxwell) Smith, aunt Carolyn Ann (Smith) Royder, aunt and uncle Helen Margaret (Miller) and John Edward Strangmeier.

Alissa was grateful for the loving care she received from Dr. Lynne Knowles, Elizabeth, Kate, Nicole, and the entire Office Staff, each Nurse in the Infusion Center and Lab at Texas Oncology, South Austin, as well as the constant love and devotion from Rhonda Keyt, Amy Smith, the Elm Grove Community, especially the Fifth Grade Team, and First Baptist Church, Buda.