Mary Claire Haynie Vanairsdale, 90, of St. Augustine, Florida, loving wife and mother, left our world on October 16, 2023. She died of natural causes at Flagler Hospital.

Mary Claire was born in Magnolia Mississippi on December 11, 1932 to Mary Elizabeth and Jewell Gatlin Haynie. She had three delightful sisters, Jackie, Judy, and Adelaide.

As a child, Mary Claire spent her summers with her favorite grandmother, Amelia Margaret "Mollie" Loch. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved grandmother in Magnolia, Mississippi. Welcome home!

Mary Claire Vanairsdale left her mark on this world as an educator. She secured her Master's Degree in Special Education from Flagler College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Her grand passion was to help her students with learning disabilities overcome life's obstacles. She taught for over 30 years and earned the title of Teacher of the Year at Crookshank Elementary School. To better serve her students and give them the best possible chance at success, she spent her summers attending courses, upgrading her
credentials and qualifications.

When not in the classroom or taking care of her family, Mary Claire had a green thumb and enjoyed nurturing her many plants in and around her home with lots of TLC.

Surviving Mary Claire are her husband of almost 70 years, James Vanairsdale, her three sons, Bruce, Chris, and Jeff, two grandchildren Erik and Jennifer, and one great granddaughter Hailey Malou.

Services will be held at Craig Funeral Home, 1475 Old Dixie Hwy, St. Augustine, FL 32084 on Saturday October 28, 2023. Viewing begins at 10:00 AM, followed by religious services at 11:00.

Mary Claire's final resting place will be next to her grandmother in Magnolia, Mississippi, at Magnolia Cemetery on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10 AM. Father Suresh Thirumalareddy will officiate.