REMEMBERING Audrey Tobiclaire Robinson Haigler-Kirven

Audrey Tobiclaire Haigler-Kirven nèe Robinson was born July 3, 1941. She left this earthly realm early Saturday, February 27, 2021, surrounded by her family and devoted friends.

A native of Florence, South Carolina, a community she deeply loved, she was the daughter of the late Madeline E. White Robinson-Harley and James Lee “Monk” Robinson. She began her educational endeavors as a student in Mrs. Annie Pettigrew’s Kindergarten School. She attended Wilson High School, Florence SC, through eighth grade and then Mather Academy Boarding School in Camden, South Carolina where she graduated in 1959. Audrey never forgot her ties to the Wilson High School Class of 1959. Audrey attended Morgan State College (now University) and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education. She later advanced her studies at Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri, Class of 1993, receiving a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resource Development. In 1996 she became a Certified Grief Counselor.

Upon her graduation with a B.A. degree in Health from Morgan State University, Audrey moved to Wildflecken, Germany and accepted a position in Special Services. Her primary role was to coordinate recreational activities for military personnel during their down time. Audrey traveled the world, sharing stories of her travels. She’d say, “You know you haven’t lived until you’ve seen the tulips bloom in Holland.”

After marrying Army officer Thomas E. Haigler, Jr. and bringing their first child, Angela Marguerite into the world, she returned stateside and taught Nursery School and Second Grade. With her husband overseas and second child, Allison Leslee, she settled in Florence, South Carolina in the late 70’s, obtaining a job in her field as a Health Educator. Other stops along her employment path included a stint as Recreational Director for the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. She later became Project Director for the South Carolina Healthy Start Program and Project Coordinator for a federally funded initiative in the Allied Health Department at Florence-Darlington Technical College.

In 1999 she began working as a Health Representative Interviewer for the National Health & Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES) Pilot Survey for Westat Research Corporation in Rockville, Maryland. There she interviewed randomly selected residents throughout the United States to help assess the nation’s health. Though proud of her accomplishments in the health field, Audrey loved working with flowers and helping to shepherd new couples into marriage through her business as a Florist and Wedding Consultant for her company, Designs by Tobiclaire, Inc.

In the summer of 1953, Audrey joined and was baptized at Trinity Baptist Church in Florence by the late Reverend J.J. Abney. She loved her church and was actively involved. She worked tirelessly as a member of Reference Board #1 and the Missionary Circle #2. She held memberships with the Sunday School Council, The Junior Choir, the Senior Choir, the Pastor’s Aide board, the Young Women’s Auxiliary (YWA) at the Local, District & State levels, the Junior Missionary, the Sunday School where she served as Secretary, and as a Charter member of the former Trinity Chorale.

Community Service seeped through her pores and she had a talent for writing and speaking. Audrey served as the inaugural on-air hostess for WBTW News 13’s ‘Scoping Black.’ She was also a frequent contributor and columnist for The Key, a local Black newspaper owned by Mr. Daniel Lane.

Audrey was also a member of the Evening Optimist Club of the Pee Dee; the Florence Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; the Florence Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); the Florence Women’s League of Voters, the National Council of Negro Women, the Association of Bridal Consultants, and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). She was a former member of the Florence County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, the Treasurer of the Spaulding Heights Community Association, and the Comprehensive Health Act Committee. She also served as a member of the Advisory Board for Florence School District 1. In the 1980s she made a run for public office, seeking the position of Florence County Probate Judge. While her first bid for public office did not end with a win, she won the hearts and minds of the community she sought to serve, capturing a record-breaking voter turn-out by those who hoped to elect her.

Audrey was also an avid member of both the PALS and Saturday Night Bridge Clubs. In her spare time, she loved raising African violets, decorating her home, planning for her legendary Christmas Breakfast celebrations, and discussing politics.

Loving Family: Mrs. Kirven leaves to cherish her memories two daughters, Mrs. Angela M. Haigler Gee (Robert) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Mrs. Allison Leslee Aristide (William) of Miami, Florida; one grandson, William Thomas Aristide of Miami, Florida; step-sister-in-law Missy Brayboy of Newport News, Virginia; three nephews, six grandnieces and two grand nephews. Cousins: Renee C. White Neighbors and Kaitlyn Neighbors; Thomas (Debra) H. White; Josie Jamison; Elizabeth T. McKnight and family; Miriam T. Yancey and family; Patricia Hill; Frances C. Duzant and family; Luretha Alexander; Mary Robinson; Marilyn McClain and family; Charles Smith and family; Tre Tailor and family; Charles Lindsay Coleman (Mary) and his family; five godchildren: Tonya Michele Timmons, Rachelle Hillary H. Smith, Derrick Davis, Dr. Dorian Solomon, and William A. Johnson.

Her Loving Extended Family: Billie Ann Davis and family; Frances Diggs and family; Ivory (Marjorie) Herbert and his family; Joseph (Evelyn) Heyward and his family; the Johnson Family; Andrea Charmaine Davis Brown and her family; John D. Brewer and his family; Gertrude (Ulysses) Hines and her family; Sylvester (Nathalie) Madison and his family; Frenchi (Stanley) Dunmore King and her family; Pansy V. McClary; Sonia (Alonza) Solomon and her family; Elizabeth Thomas and her family; Frances Thompson and her family; Cathy Bennett Webb and her family; Mattie Wilson; Frank White and his family and Michael White and his family.

Devoted Friends: Audrey McClain, Dennis Sullen, Margy Smith, Mildred Thomas and Caregiver Dorothy McClain Hart.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to My Brothers Keeper Shelter c/o Trinity Baptist Church or you may visit www.idealfuneral.com to leave a message for the family.