Culver City lost a long time community activist with the passing of Jozelle Smith on August 17, 2023, after a lengthy illness.
Born and raised here, Jozelle served on the City Council from 1986 to 1994, including a year a Mayor in 1989- 1990. She was one of the very few women to run for municipal office, and combined a feminist sensibility with a conservative political outlook. She wrote a calendar-style column that appeared briefly in the Culver City News, the Culver City Observer, and then here at Culver City Crossroads. Jozelle’s “Local Motion” ran every week on Mondays from 2012 until 2017.
She was active with the Chamber of Commerce, and spent many years on the Board of Directors at the Culver-Palms YMCA. She was also involved with the Culver City Historical Society, and the Culver City Woman’s Club. In recent years, she worked as a ‘background actor’ in films, television and videos, a job she relished with all of her usual delight.
Her warmth, her wit, and her enthusiastic persistence had a wide range and a deep impact on Culver City.
Editor’s note – We are allowing comments on this post, so that people can share memories of Jozelle.
I didn’t know anything about Jozelle besides checking her column from time to time on “Crossroads” and in local papers. I am glad to know more about the life of a local treasure!
Jozelle Smith was a class-act, through and through. She was a shining example of what it means to serve the community and others with compassion, integrity, and dedication. She was a role model to us all and left a lasting legacy. My deepest condolences to her family and to all who loved her.
I am shocked. I was searching for a film shot in Culver City and came upon this very sad news! Terrible way to find out a truly remarkable woman is no longer walking among us. May her memory be a blessing for all who know her. She contributed so much to her community. He was not only a physical beauty — but a Beaty inside and out, kind, generous – she loved the arts and the youth in our fine city. ..always showing up them both, she will be missed!