This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Tolson, Robinson, Austin, Lott, Brown, Watt Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/plB.2ACI/3467 Message Board Post: Ernest Tolson Oct. 3, 1923 - Oct. 1, 2005 Ernest Tolson, 81, was born in Wadsworth, Texas on October 3, 1923 to the late Ernest Tolson, Sr. and Helena Robinson Tolson. He was raised in Bay City, Texas by the late Florence and Marie Robinson. Ernest died Saturday, October 1, 2005 at his residence. Ernest joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and served approximately one and a half years. He returned to Bay City, Texas and completed high school with his class. He graduated from Hilliard High School in 1945. Afterwards, he studied optometry for two years at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Later, he worked at Celanese in Bay City, Texas. He was the first black male to be hired with this company and retired after 20 years of dedicated service. Ernest was a loving and caring man who acknowledged his relationship with God. He was a people person and made many friends. His leisure time was spent playing golf, dominoes, and spending time with his grandchildren. He leaves to cherish: his wife, Mary Tolson; one son, James Austin, Jr.; three daughters, Charlotte Tolson Lott (Clarence), Patricia Ann Brown, and Margery Watt (Fred); 12 grandchildren, Monique, Jennifer, Courtney, Jason, Marcus, Lisa, Cathy, Derrick, Reginald, Shay, Derrick and Terrance; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother, Elbert Tolson (Ocie); great-uncle, Ernest Robinson; one aunt, Rhena Robinson, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services for Ernest Tolson are scheduled for 1 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2005, at Enterprise Baptist Church, 2420 Avenue B in Bay City. Viewing will be from noon until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 in the chapel of Green’s Mortuary, 2702 Avenue C in Bay City, 979-245-3489. Bay City Tribune October 5, 2005 Matagorda County, Texas