The remains of the late Deaconess Anne Pereseseigha Tolar, wife of the popular late Rev. Ikem Cleaver Tolar, was conveyed by families and other sympathisers from the Veenell Hospital Mortuary in Warri to her hometown, Oporoza Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Friday, December 20, 2024.

The late Deaconess who passed away at the age of 74 years, was earlier honoured with a Service of Songs ceremony on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, with prominent ministers in attendance, among them is the popular Papa Ayo Oritsejafor of the Word of Life Bible Church.

Below is the biography of the late Deaconess capturing her life and achievements. Excerpts:

The story of late DEACONESS ANNE PERESESEIGHA TOLAR (Nee EDI) will forever be remembered as an enchanting tale of virtue, discipline, diligence, integrity, intellect, elegance and poise.

Deaconess Anne Pereseisegha Tolar nee Edi was born into the family of Late Pa Office Edi of Ikeretimi and Keneibra quarters, Oporoza and Late Garanma Ikiozigha Akada of Bralabor quarters, Benikrukru in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of the present Delta State on 4th August,1950. She married her heart throb Reverend Dr. Ikem Cleaver Tolar of blessed memory under the Ijaw native law and custom on 4th August,1965 and they spent a remarkable 54 years together as husband and wife, both quintessential role models in their immediate society and far afield.

A great lover of education from infancy, she attended First Baptist Primary School from 1957 to 1962 and obtained her First School Leaving Certificate. She proceeded to a foremost Teacher Training College back in the days - Esenaebe College, Bomadi, where she was awarded The Teachers' Certificate Grade Two (TCII), in 1979. This new feat propelled her to choose a peculiar calling - teaching, the noblest of human vocations, rising to impact lives everywhere throughout her lifetime.

Committed to the best tutelage in her teaching journey, she headed to the prestigious University of Benin, UNIBEN where she obtained her Associateship Certificate of Education (ACE) in August 1985. In October 1991, she was awarded the Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE) from the Institute of Education, UNIBEN, subsequently culminating in the academic laurel of a Bachelor's degree B.A (ED) in Arts Education from the Delta State University, Abraka, in August 2003.

The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria officially registered Deaconess Anne Tolar as a certified Teacher in 2007. Her teaching career which spanned three decades, was phenomenal, outstanding and eventual, grooming a generation of pupils and students, imbued with learning alongside positive attitude and character.

She was at different times a teacher in the following schools: (1.) Obaseki Primary School 1, Benin City, Oredo L.G.A in the then Bendel State - 1979.  (2.) ⁠St Catherine’s School, Makurdi, Benue State 1980-1983. (3.) ⁠Okai Primary School 1, Edo state -1984. (4.) ⁠Pessu Primary School A, Warri - 1987. (5.) ⁠Olodi Primary School A, Warri - 1994. (6.) ⁠Ighogbadu Primary School A, Warri - 2000. (7.) ⁠Alderstown Primary School B, Warri -2005.

Deaconess Anne Tolar retired as a Headmistress Merit Grade on the 3rd of August 2010, after a meritorious 31 years of service. Until her demise, she was the founder/proprietress of Triune Nursery and Primary School, Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom. It is worthy to note that her husband of blessed memory built this citadel of learning, a non-profit nursery and primary school as a way of giving back to this very community which birthed an "acclaimed teacher" of repute and pride to Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, Nigeria and the world at large.

An exceptional matriarch of diverse worth, she was also a successful business woman who traded in luxury laces, beads, coral beads and jewelries in Makurdi, Benue State while on transfer with her elite banker husband.

An accredited Avon product distributor in the then Bendel State in the 80’s and a successful groceries vendor at Robson G Plaza, Warri. She travelled across the globe, building friendships / relationships in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai; The United Kingdom (U.K), Doha, Qatar; Guangzhou, China; Aberdeen, Scotland to mention but a few.

She was a devout Christian and an ordained Deaconess at Christ the Living Church in Warri, where she served as a Sunday school teacher par excellence encapsulating the scripture “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” – 2 Timothy 2 vs 15. Until her demise, she was a member of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Chapel of Joy Model Parish, Warri.

Deaconess Anne Tolar’s attributes all through her life and times were exemplary and worthy of emulation. She was compassionate, resilient and a disciplinarian. A devoted wife, doting mother, home builder and an indomitable pillar of the Ikem Cleaver Tolar dynasty.  She was a classic definition of the virtuous woman divinely romanticized in Proverbs 31: 10-12 - "For her price is far above rubies and the heart of her husband doth safely thrust in her; she will do him good all the days of her life”.

Life itself is a beautiful dream and like the book of Ecclesiastes 3 verse 1 -2 says: “There is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.  A time to be born, and a time to die”, Deaconess Anne Tolar, after a glorious earthly sojourn rested on the 27th of September, 2024 at the age of 74, fulfilling biblical longevity.

She is survived by four children - Mrs Vivian Doye Briggs (nee Tolar), Mrs Gift Asikiya Seimode (nee Tolar), Deaconess (Mrs) Joylene Miebo Lakutu (nee Tolar), Mr Jude Ebimobowei Tolar, 19 Grandchildren,1 Great Grand child, In-laws, two brothers and numerous relatives.

Adieu our adorable mum of inestimable value!

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