Dr. Arthur L. Tolson departed this life on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 while being cared for in a local facility. He is survived by his only daughter, Antoinette Tolson of Tulsa, Oklahoma along with a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin B. Tolson, Sr, his mother, Ruth Southall Tolson, brothers Wiley and Melvin Jr. and sisters Naomi and Pauline. He was a faithful member of the Hughes United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, pastored by Constance R. Saizon. Dr. Tolson known as "Doc" by many 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 degree in History from Oklahoma State University and the first African American to obtain a Doctorate degree 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.

Funeral services for Dr. Arthur L. Tolson will be held Monday, November 30, 2015 at 7:00 PM in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union-Southern University, Baton Rouge campus.

Visitation will begin at 4:00 PM.
Treasures of Life, Center for Life Funeral Services has been entrusted the Louisiana Arrangements.

Services will be concluding with his burial at Green Acres Memorial Gardens in Skiatook, Oklahoma a time to be determined.

Family request in lieu of flowers to forward all donations to Treasures of Life, Center for Life Funeral Services at 315 E. Airline Hwy, in Gramercy, LA 70052 or call 225.258.4039.