from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Elder James Vernon Tolson, 66, has died.

He was born Feb. 9, 1947, to Nolan and Mary Tolson in Dover, Dela. He was educated in the Delaware Starhill Public School System.

He gave his life to the Lord and was born again early in his life. He moved to Bradenton, Fla., where he met the love of his life, Anne Smith, and they were united in holy matrimony on Dec. 25, 1982, and to this union one child, Andrea, was born and six children prior to this union.

He had a passion for horses and that led him to become owner and entrepreneur of the Glory Standardbred Race Horse Training Center in Troy, Ala.

After traveling and training horses in many cities, he began teaching Bible Studies at race tracks in Manchester, N.H; the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.; The Red Mile in Lexington, Ky.; Pompano Park in Pompano Beach, Fla.; and many more cities.

He was an owner, trainer and driver of Standardbreds.

Before retiring he worked as maintenance supervisor at the Courtyard Retirement Center in Bradenton, Fla. He also worked for the Pike County Commissioners at the Pike County Courthouse.

Elder Tolson joined the Eternity Temple First Born Church of the Living God and served as a deacon under his mentor, Pastor Lawrence Livingston in Palmetto, Fla. Being led of the spirit, he presided over the True Vine Fellowship which was conducted from his home.

He later relocated to Troy, Ala., where he joined Lily White Church of the Living God in 1990 under Pastor Willie B. Griffin where he served as a minister. He became a member of the Jerusalem Temple Evangelistic Pentecostal Church, under the leadership of Apostle S. D. James and Assistant Pastor Ernest Lindsey, and was ordained an Elder in 2009 by the S. D. James Evangelistic Association, Inc. He also worked as the Assistant Sabbath School Teacher.

He is survived by his wife, Anne; daughters, Andrea, Sondra, Verna, Melanie and Qiyawna; son, Michael; brothers, David, Gregory (Carol), Donald (Desiree’) and Steven; sisters, Delores (Joseph) Benson, Gloria (Jessie) Williams, Patricia (Franklin) Simmons and Mary; aunts, Verna Miller and Margaret Patterson; mother-in-law, Annie P. Smith; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one son-in-law; 12 brothers-in-law; 14 sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends and acquaintances. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Paul, Marion, Nolan Jr., Alexander, Samuel and Richard; and his godmother, Minnie Carnes.