He was practically a one-man film and arts company for Lowndes County.
James Deward “Tootie” Chambliss has died after weeks of worsening illness.
He will be remembered in a service at Bethel Baptist Church in Fort Deposit on Sunday, August 10, at 2:30 p.m.
Tootie was an independent filmmaker, among other projects. He produced and directed two documentaries, “Children Changing the World” and " You Can Change the World."
He was co-owner of Southern Land Management, a land improvement company. His business mission was: “We are trying to make the world a more beautiful place through our artistic endeavors”.
Tootie tried to make Alabama and the world a better place by serving as:
- Artist director, Alabama International Film Festival.
- Board of directors, Mid-South Resource Conservation and Development Council.
- Board of directors, Lowndes County Health and Human Resources Agency.
- Board of directors, SKY (Skilled Knowable Youth) program.
- Board of directors, Fort Deposit Arts Council.
He said that his most rewarding activity was volunteering with the group “Eye Care Alabama.” This group of eye care professionals donates their time by traveling in the rural areas of Alabama to conduct free eye exams and provide eyeglasses to the less fortunate.
Tootie’s "magnum opus," meaning his single most important, difference-making work, was his 2013 documentary, “Children Changing the World.” Chambliss served as producer and director in the eight-year project. It was his baby.
Here is the trailer:
Eight years in the planning, developing and filming, "Children Changing the World" is a documentary that will give an incredible accounting of more than 600 Alabama school students and one schoolteacher. The journey began when a young educator presented an idea and a challenge to his young students; what can they do to make the world a better place. All they started with were their hands to work with and their brains to think with; and today the world is a better place. It did not happen over night, it took many years. However as time progressed students came and went, leaving as they departed their wisdom and faith so the next class of students would continue with the determination to achieve the goal of improving the lives of others and maybe along the way making themselves better persons.
Chambliss’ theme for his life is:
My Soul was a gift from God at birth, however the quality of my soul comes from the experiences of life and what I learn from those who experience life with me. I have a devoted and adventurous heart and a spiritual soul. Some ask me, “Why?” and my response is, “Why not?”
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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