Ozellia Mosely Crawford

Ozellia Mosely was born on August 16, 1927 in Yazoo County, Mississippi, to Henry Cary Mosely and Ethel Marie Holmes Mosely.  She was the third of four children, her siblings – brother Henry James, sister Norma Kathleen, and brother Thomas Edward, all preceded her in death.

She attended Saint James Grammar School (one room schoolhouse) in Yazoo County where her teacher was Lucy B. Ward (our family remember her as "Auntie").  Auntie also spent significant time raising Ozellia through her formative years.  Ozellia then attended Yazoo County Training High School where she graduated as Salutatorian.  As a child, Ozellia worked on the family farm tending to the farm animals and the crops and helping to grow and pick cotton.

At age 14, Ozellia accepted Christ at Mount Ollie Methodist Church in Yazoo County, Mississippi.  She remained steadfast in striving to learn and follow God's will for the rest of her life.

Ozellia enrolled at Tougaloo College (Tougaloo, Mississippi) where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics in 1951, graduating Cum Laude. At Tougaloo she was a charter member of Alpha Kappa Alpha - Gamma Omicron Chapter.  She held great love, high esteem, and gratitude to Tougaloo College for the rest of her life.  Ozellia then began to prepare for her "Life's Calling" as an Educator, enrolling at Alcorn College (Alcorn, Mississippi) where she earned her Vocational Teachers License.  She earned a Secondary Special Teaching Credential: K-12 at Tougaloo College and a Secondary Permanent Professional License with the State of Mississippi.

Early teaching assignments included Bowman Elementary (Mississippi) / 1st-3rd Grades; Wesley Chapel School (Carthage, Mississippi) / 4th Grade; and East Yazoo High School (Yazoo County) 7th-12th Grades teaching Home Economics.

In 1952 she moved to California, residing with her sister (Kathleen) and brother-in-law (Relonial Morris) and their young family.  Upon arriving in California, she worked as a Nanny, as a Factory Worker (Dress Maker), and then an Office Worker for the LA County Dept of Social Services.

Ozellia continued the pursuit of her calling as an Educator.  In California she attended UCLA Extension to earn her California Teachers Certificates: Primary Grades, and K-8th Grades.  Later, she would earn special Certificates at Pepperdine University and La Verne University.

In 1953 Ozellia met Hubert Crawford whom she would marry in 1955.  They had two sons, Hubert Carlton (born 1956) and Kevin Eugene (born 1963).  She was devoted to the family and was especially passionate about the education of her sons.  We were her first students, and she would spare nothing to ensure our educations. She served as a Cub Scout Den Mother.  As a family, she enjoyed traveling to places like National Parks (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion to name a few) and we visited "back home" (Mississippi and Georgia) several times.  She enjoyed family fishing trips to the Sierras which remain a Crawford family tradition.

Ozellia was extraordinarily talented in many ways.  She loved to sew, made clothing and particularly enjoyed quilting.  As an artist, she learned how to paint portraits starting with watercolors and progressing on to oil paints.  Inspired by Van Gogh, she once planted and grew sunflowers so that she could create her own Sunflowers portrait.  During her retirement, she wrote many inspired poems and successfully tried her hand at illustrating birds.

In 1964, Ozellia resumed her teaching career, first teaching primary grades in the Compton School District.  Then she taught 3rd Grade at 95th Street School (LAUSD) for 25 years.  She was a devoted teacher spending much of her own time and resources hunting out materials to optimize her time in the classroom.  Upon retiring from LAUSD in 1990, she taught another year at Lynwood Christian School.

During retirement, Ozellia traveled, was active in Church activities and advanced her quilting skills, joining  the African American Quilters of Los Angeles (AAQLA).  She remained active with the Tougaloo College Alumni Club of Los Angeles. Ozellia loved spending time with the youngsters in her family, including her only Grandchild Daniel who was the apple of her eye.  She also spent many treasured moments with her many nieces and nephews.  Ozellia never stopped sharing and teaching.  Carl and Kevin learned new things right up until she left us to be with the Lord on September 9, 2021.  Her memories will be immortal if we simply share them!

Ozellia is survived by her two sons - Carl and Kevin, Grandson - Daniel, Daughter in Law - Karen, many Nieces, Nephews, Grandnieces, Grandnephews, In Laws, and a host of friends.  Her quiet but strong presence will be missed.

On October 4, 2021 services will be held at Lighthouse Memorials and Receptions - McMillan Center. Wearing a Mask will be required of everyone in attendance and  Social Distancing will be encouraged.

Ozellia Crawford Zoom Recording