James Lafayette Toles Iv

James L. Toles IV, 19, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2009 in Palm Bay, FL. as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was an exceptional young man who will truly be missed by his family, teachers, co-workers, and many friends.

James Lafayette Toles IV was born on May 15, 1990 to the parents of Michelle D. Toles and James L. Toles III in Fairbanks, Alaska at the Ft. Wain Wright Army Community Hospital. He attended Department of Defense School System, and later in Georgia, Bacon Elementary School in Hinesville, GA, Waldo Pafford Elementary School also in Hinesville, GA, Gould Elementary School in Savannah, GA, and Shuman Middle School, also in Savannah, GA. It was at this school that he began his studies in Writing and Communications. There he was introduced and found a passion and love for film under the leadership and love of Mr. David Stevenson.

During these years, he was a High Honor Roll Student. He received awards in perfect attendance, overall excellent conduct, placed 2nd for French Fair Project (Burgandy, France) and was an A & B student in French and Algebra. James was honored with a Students Honor Conference Award from Savannah State University. He received a certificate for Social Studies achievement, a certificate for Communications Technology achievement, and a French 1B- best improvement award (90%-98%). He was also selected to attend the Georgia Young Leaders State Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. James also served as the Master of Ceremony for his eighth grade graduation. On top of all these accomplishments for that school year, he also accepted an invitation to attend Savannah Arts Academy.
James wrote this quote after listing these achievements, “Those achievements happen to be the ones that I’ve accomplished only in my eighth grade year. There are many, many, more.”

James starred as “Daddy Warbucks” in the school play Annie, produced several T.V. programs, hosted and anchored the School News Program, performed in Hip Hop production for A.I.D.S. awareness, recorded a rap single with producer Dushawn Bulloch, became a part of a youth organization known as “Project Y.E.S.”, performed as Martin Luther King Jr. for Savannah Leisure Services’ “Black History Express” in the Johnny Mercer Theater, received a certificate of achievement for dance and enrichment in the National Youth Sports Program, and several awards for outstanding excellence in sports camp.

He was later accepted at the Savannah Arts Academy where he continued this work, writing plays, producing commercials and short films. He worked on the school's news letter, French Class and was a proud member of F.B.L.A. (Future Business Leaders of America) and Region III Vice President of GA. During James' time at Savannah Arts Academy and in the F.B.L.A., he received numerous awards and accomplishments. As a part of the F.B.L.A. Team, he placed eighth in the nation for public speaking in Chicago, IL. He graduated with honors and was voted among his peers as "most likely to be your boss".

During his senior year, he received an award for film of the year. He participated in the Governor's Honors Award Program. He volunteered at numerous places in the community including: Bull Street Public Library, Union Mission, Phoenix Project ("Hold UP"), Mr. Black Teen Savannah Project, March of Dimes Walk a Thon and Various Churches in the Community. James worked as a miscellaneous crew hand on three senior thesis projects for Savannah College of Art and Design. He produced a 15-minute Promo for Savannah Children’s Book Festival, sponsored by Live Oak Public Libraries. He also worked for the Savannah Film Commission in 2008 and for Greg Video Productions as a cameraman and Editor from 2008-2009.

He furthered his education and career at Georgia State University where he majored in filming, creating short films, plays, and poetry. He also worked for the School's video and news team. His love for film blossomed when he got the opportunity to work as a Production Intern with Will Packer who was the producer of the movie "Obsessed". This opened the doors for him to travel to France to witness the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France as a part of the Pavilion Cannes Film Student Program. There he got the opportunity to display his work and to meet many people in the industry. He was selected to attend CNN Leadership Un-plugged, which was a one week residential program exploring media and broadcast journalism. James was also awarded Best Film of the Year at S.A.A. Film Festival.

At an early age, he dreamed of having his own studio, a real sound stage for productions, video shoots, and rental space. Lafayette, as he often referred to himself, realized his dream when he started his own film company by the name of I.V. League Films. His motto was "Make Every Day Peaceful and Productive".

At the time of his passing, James Lafayette Toles IV was working on an undergraduate degree in Film at Georgia State University. Inspite of all of his volunteer work and his many projects, he managed to maintain a 3.5 grade point average.

James was also bilingual, speaking both English and French fluently.

He was a member of Jonesville Baptist Church where Elder James Rogers is the Pastor. He was active on the Praise Team and in Teen Service Ministry. While in Atlanta, GA, he joined the ministry of Dr. Crefflo Dollar where he also served faithfully. This was a ministry that he had followed since he was 16 years of age. He TRULY LOVED THE LORD and will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Linda Marie Calhoun of Macon, GA and his paternal grandfather, Dr. James L. Toles Jr. of Liberia, West Africa (During his lifetime, he served as the Dean of The School of Business Administration at Virginia State University). He was also preceded in death by an uncle, Samuel Stewart.

He leaves to cherish his memories: mother, Michelle D. Toles of Macon, GA; father, James L. Toles III of Macon, GA; brother, Jarael L. Toles of Savannah, Georgia; paternal grandmother, Barbara G. Toles of Charleston, South Carolina; maternal grandfather, Leo Stewart (Mattie) of Miami, FL; maternal great grandmother, Dorothy Hubbard of Macon, Georgia; five aunts, Audrey Stewart of Miami, Florida, Patricia Griggs (Thomas) of Macon, Georgia, Cynthia Holloway (Johnny) of Columbus, Georgia, Celia McCants (Lark) of Atlanta, Georgia and Jartu Toles of Atlanta, Georgia; uncles, Minister Michael D. Jones (Janet) of Savannah, Georgia, Gregory Stewart (Denise) of Miami, Florida, and Reverend Leo Stewart Jr. (Erin) of Tallahassee, Florida; twelve grandaunts, Sheila Boubor of Savannah, Georgia, Loletha McKenzie of Pompano, Florida, Dr. Mary Thompson of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Margaret Stewart of Miami, Florida, Sheryl Stewart of Miami, Florida, Collistine Hubbard of Macon, Georgia, Roslyn Clayton of Macon, Georgia, Cynthia Gerbar of New York, Adelaide Toles Greene of Tacoma Park, Maryland, Gertrude T. Walker of London, England, and Etmonia Grimes, Minnesota; granduncles, Everett Stewart (Geneva) of Miami, Florida, Professor Ivan Stewart of Miami, Florida, William Stewart of Miami, Florida, Danny Hubbard, and James (Muriel) De Toles of Haywood, California; cousins, Michael D. Jones Jr. of Macon, Georgia, Mechelle Jones, of Macon Georgia, James Graham of Savannah, Georgia, Tegan Jones of Macon, Georgia, Brianna Stewart of Miami, Florida, Gregory Stewart Jr. of Miami, Florida, Ge’nesia Stewart of Miami, Florida, Leah Stewart of Tallahassee, Florida, Naomi Stewart, of Tallahassee, Florida, Thomas Griggs III (Santoshia) of McDonald, Georgia, Roderick Sinclair of Columbus, Georgia, Kevin Griggs of Macon, Georgia, Cece Jones of Columbus, Georgia, Benjamin Griggs of Macon, Georgia, and Jessica Fairnot of Atlanta, Georgia; special friend, Larry “Shorty Rock” Roberts; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

James Lafayette was a visionary, and a dreamer who believed that anything that was worth obtaining was worth striving for. He was a very spiritual young man who always put God and his faith before his work. In his films, he tried to capture the human spirit. He believed that this was a very powerful medium.

Funeral services for Mr. James Lafayette Toles IV will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2009 at 11:30 in the morning from Jonesville Baptist Church of The Pentecostal Assemblies of The World, Inc, 5201 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31405; Elder James A. Rodgers Pastor.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 8, 2009 from 7~8 P.M. in the chapel of Williams & Williams Funeral Home, 1012 East Gwinnett Street, Savannah, GA 31401.