Black Mountain, NC - Polly Cameron Haigler, Ph.D., RN, formerly of Columbia, SC, passed away at home on October 23, 2016 after a very brief, courageous battle with stage IV lung and liver cancer.

Polly was born in Harnett County, NC to parents, Erwin B. and Magolene McDaniel Cameron. She graduated valedictorian from Peace Preparatory High School, in Raleigh, NC and attended Peace College for one year. She received a certificate in X-ray technology from University Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC. In 1958 she married the love of her life, Boyce Reid Haigler, of Pageland, SC. The two settled in Columbia, SC and became active members at Shandon Baptist Church where Polly served faithfully for 50 years. Polly stayed at home for several years lovingly caring for their three children. She later resumed her academic pursuits at the University of SC in Columbia and received a BS and MN in Nursing. Polly also received a Ph.D. In Health Promotion and Education, USC School of Public Health. In addition, she was certified in Medical-Surgical Nursing by the American Nurses Association; received a Certificate in Parish Nursing-Baptist College, Atlanta, GA; and received a Certificate-Faculty Development in Gerontological Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL.

Polly's nursing career began as a charge nurse in intensive care and shortly thereafter progressed to one of a nurse team assigned to the first post open heart unit opened at Providence Hospital in Columbia, SC. She was appointed director and primary faculty for the Midlands EMS Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program. In 1982 Polly accepted an appointment as faculty for the College of Nursing, University of South Carolina in Columbia and remained in the position until retirement as a Clinical Associate Professor, 2006. After retirement she assumed a part-time position with USC and taught a variety of undergraduate nursing courses.

Polly spent four summers as a nursing faculty in a hospital on the Gaza Strip. There she taught nursing students, supervised clinicals, and also gave workshops for several Arab government nursing schools in Israel. As a result of her work, multiple students from Gaza are now working in hospitals in the US, Canada, and other foreign countries. Polly also participated in several mission trips to Cuba in which she established a Parish Nurse program and provided continuing education to health professionals in Havana. As a result of these trips Polly was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International for community and international service. Other awards and honors include: Mortar Board Recipient as an outstanding faculty member at the University of South Carolina; three times voted the most outstanding undergraduate nursing faculty at University of South Carolina; Palmetto Gold Recipient; National League of Nursing Award; Peace College Outstanding Alumni Award; Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Honor Society; twice invited to present research at the Oxford Round Table, Oxford College, England. While Polly leaves behind a legacy of lives helped through her nursing career, she considers her greatest legacy her children and grandchildren all of whom love Jesus Christ.

In 2007 Polly and Boyce moved to "The Swan House" (which she called her "Happy Place") in Black Mountain where they have enjoyed nine glorious years. During her "retirement" Polly has served on the Board of Trustees for Montreat College, was employed by Maxim Healthcare to give flu shots, and served as an election polling place volunteer and judge. She was also an active member at Christ Community Church in Montreat. In addition, Polly has visited countless sick family members, neighbors, and friends and helped them with healthcare questions and concerns. Polly never had an idle moment and had lifelong love of learning. She enjoyed cooking, collecting antiques, hiking, playing bridge, gardening, knitting with friends, and was an avid reader. Most of all she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Polly loved her life in Black Mountain and truly felt blessed by all of the wonderful friends she and Boyce have there.

Polly is survived by her husband of 58 years, Boyce Reid Haigler; her three children: Kimberly (John) Hilton of Charlotte, NC, Cameron (Mike) Hartley of Columbia, SC, and Kyle (Mary) Haigler of Mount Pleasant, SC.; nine grandchildren: Polly, Claire, and Jack Hilton; Cara and Catherine Hartley; and Reid, William, Matthew, and Palmer Haigler; and sisters: Patsy May of Charlotte, NC and Judy Owen of Peachtree City, Georgia.

A service to celebrate Polly's life will be held at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, SC on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 2:00 pm. Members of the Rick Hurst Sunday School Class and past and present faculty of the University of South Carolina School of Nursing are invited to serve as honorary pallbearers.
A service will also be held at Christ Community Church in Montreat, NC on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Polly C. Haigler Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund. Make checks payable to USC Foundations. Mail to the USC College of Nursing. Attention: Monica Cromer, Director of Development, 1601 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29208; or the Montreat College Keystone Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1267, Montreat, NC 28757; or Care Partners Hospice, 68 Sweeten Creek Road., Asheville, NC 28803.