Dr. Arthur L. Tolson departed this life Wednesday, November 18, 2015 while being cared for in a local facility.
He is survived by his only daughter, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
He was a faithful member of the Hughes United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, pastored by Constance R. Saizon. Dr. Tolson known by many as, "Doc," was a professor and educator of the Southern University faculty for over four decades. He served as sponsor of the Carter G. Woodson Historical Society. During his tenure as sponsor, he mentored and fostered three Student Government Association presidents.
His father, Dr. Melvin B. Tolson Sr., a poet and educator, was the poet laureate of Liberia and was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the highly acclaimed movie, "The Great Debaters" for which he was so proud. Dr. Tolson himself was the first African American to graduate with a Master's in History from Oklahoma State University and the first African American to obtain a Doctorate in History from the University of Oklahoma. He was an Advisory Board Member to the Southern Conference on African American Studies and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.
He was preceded in death by his father; his mother; brothers, Wiley and Melvin Jr.; and sisters, Naomi and Pauline.
Funeral service for Dr. Arthur L. Tolson will be held 7 p.m., Monday, November 30, in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union-Southern University, Baton Rouge campus, with visitation beginning at 4 p.m.
Treasures of Life, Center for Life Funeral Services entrusted with arrangements. Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors Inc. to handle burial at Green Acres Cemetery in Tulsa.
He is survived by his only daughter, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
He was a faithful member of the Hughes United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, pastored by Constance R. Saizon. Dr. Tolson known by many as, "Doc," was a professor and educator of the Southern University faculty for over four decades. He served as sponsor of the Carter G. Woodson Historical Society. During his tenure as sponsor, he mentored and fostered three Student Government Association presidents.
His father, Dr. Melvin B. Tolson Sr., a poet and educator, was the poet laureate of Liberia and was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the highly acclaimed movie, "The Great Debaters" for which he was so proud. Dr. Tolson himself was the first African American to graduate with a Master's in History from Oklahoma State University and the first African American to obtain a Doctorate in History from the University of Oklahoma. He was an Advisory Board Member to the Southern Conference on African American Studies and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.
He was preceded in death by his father; his mother; brothers, Wiley and Melvin Jr.; and sisters, Naomi and Pauline.
Funeral service for Dr. Arthur L. Tolson will be held 7 p.m., Monday, November 30, in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union-Southern University, Baton Rouge campus, with visitation beginning at 4 p.m.
Treasures of Life, Center for Life Funeral Services entrusted with arrangements. Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors Inc. to handle burial at Green Acres Cemetery in Tulsa.
Dr. Arthur L. Tolson departed this life Wednesday, November 18, 2015 while being cared for in a local facility.
He is survived by his only daughter, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
He was a faithful member of the Hughes United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, pastored by Constance R. Saizon. Dr. Tolson known by many as, "Doc," was a professor and educator of the Southern University faculty for over four decades. He served as sponsor of the Carter G. Woodson Historical Society. During his tenure as sponsor, he mentored and fostered three Student Government Association presidents.
His father, Dr. Melvin B. Tolson Sr., a poet and educator, was the poet laureate of Liberia and was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the highly acclaimed movie, "The Great Debaters" for which he was so proud. Dr. Tolson himself was the first African American to graduate with a Master's in History from Oklahoma State University and the first African American to obtain a Doctorate in History from the University of Oklahoma. He was an Advisory Board Member to the Southern Conference on African American Studies and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.
He was preceded in death by his father; his mother; brothers, Wiley and Melvin Jr.; and sisters, Naomi and Pauline.
Funeral service for Dr. Arthur L. Tolson will be held 7 p.m., Monday, November 30, in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union-Southern University, Baton Rouge campus, with visitation beginning at 4 p.m.
Treasures of Life, Center for Life Funeral Services entrusted with arrangements. Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors Inc. to handle burial at Green Acres Cemetery in Tulsa.
He is survived by his only daughter, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
He was a faithful member of the Hughes United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, pastored by Constance R. Saizon. Dr. Tolson known by many as, "Doc," was a professor and educator of the Southern University faculty for over four decades. He served as sponsor of the Carter G. Woodson Historical Society. During his tenure as sponsor, he mentored and fostered three Student Government Association presidents.
His father, Dr. Melvin B. Tolson Sr., a poet and educator, was the poet laureate of Liberia and was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the highly acclaimed movie, "The Great Debaters" for which he was so proud. Dr. Tolson himself was the first African American to graduate with a Master's in History from Oklahoma State University and the first African American to obtain a Doctorate in History from the University of Oklahoma. He was an Advisory Board Member to the Southern Conference on African American Studies and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.
He was preceded in death by his father; his mother; brothers, Wiley and Melvin Jr.; and sisters, Naomi and Pauline.
Funeral service for Dr. Arthur L. Tolson will be held 7 p.m., Monday, November 30, in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union-Southern University, Baton Rouge campus, with visitation beginning at 4 p.m.
Treasures of Life, Center for Life Funeral Services entrusted with arrangements. Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors Inc. to handle burial at Green Acres Cemetery in Tulsa.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
