Last fall, Jo-ed Griffith e-mailed and asked if I could write something to be used when introducing her for the Jack London Award. I said, "Sure. Send me some material to work with," The follow is what we used.

Jo-ed Griffith
2003 Jack London Award Winner
San Fernando Valley Branch

Hailing from Atlanta, where she graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia, Jo-ed arrived in North Hollywood in 1978. Her slight southern drawl and uniquely expressive vocabulary made her a standout.

Having attended a creative writing class taught by Scott Sonders at Valley College, she followed his advice to join a writing club. Jo-ed attended her first meeting of the San Fernando Valley Branch of the CWC in 1993. Scott introduced her to Betty Freeman, and when she showed up at a second meeting, Betty saw her and remembered her name. As Jo-ed says, "From then on, I was putty in her hands."

Right then and there, Jo-ed became the branch Greeter and Guest Book Keeper. In 1995 she was elected to a two-year term as Vice President of Membership. She served as Member-at-Large from 1997 to 1999; cheerfully accepting any assignment tossed her way—from refreshments to taking orders and distributing the branch's Anthology. In May 1999 she took over as Scribe (the Branch's newsletter) 'Current and Upcoming Speaker' columnist when Joan Burden passed away. She relinquished that post only when she was elected president in June of 2001. Our branch will most gratefully remember Joe for inaugurating our extremely successful annual San Fernando Valley Branch Writer's conference.

She is an accomplished author, having had her work accepted for three Anthologies, and in 2002 placing second in the Fiction category. With a partner, she co-authored a theatrical play, Here Rita! which was produced both at the Harold Clurman Theatre in New York City and Los Angeles City College in Los Angeles.

Jo-ed has had a varied career, from log editor to National Sales Administrator for KCOP, and on to her own personal services business. She and a friend manufactured, packaged and sold Gourmet Mix Nut Brittle to Nordstrom's, Disneyland, Bristol Farms and for inclusion in gourmet gift baskets that went to movers and shakers in the Entertainment Industry. Subsequently, she returned to KCOP as Programming Coordinator. Having retired in 2002, she moved to Big Bear Lake and is a Guest Services Agent for a member-owned resort there.

Jo-ed has a strong sense of community service. She worked the Los Angeles Marathon for several years, as liaison between field reporters and on-air talent, and as captain and volunteer organizer of water table #13. She was co-chair and organizer of an independent blood drive, honoring a dear friend, for the City of Hope National Medical Center. For four years, she was a participant and fund raiser for the Revlon Run/Walk for Women.

We of the San Fernando Valley Branch of CWC thank Jo-ed for her years of cheerful service to our club. We are proud to name her as our Jack London Award recipient for 2003. She is a fine author, willing worker, and a friend who will be sorely missed. Come back and visit, any time!

Epilogue

On October 19, 2003, Jed received the Jack London Award at the CWC Annual State Board Meeting, in Oakland. Friends from Southern California surrounded her as she celebrated this honor.

In November, she and her partner Lainie, evacuated their Big Bear home during the devastating forest fires. I spoke to Jed in a motel in Barstow. She said she felt as though she might be coming down with a cold and cough. Their home was spared and the two of them and their precious dogs returned to Big Bear.

In early December, Lainie called from Cedars Sinai Hospital. What the Big Bear doctors had diagnosed as bronchitis, was actually lung cancer. With Lainie at her side, Jed fought pneumonia and the cancer that quickly destroyed one lung.

We all prayed for a miracle, but on Saturday, January 31, 2004, with Lainie at her side, Jo-ed passed away. Lainie said, tears in her eyes, "Jed died peacefully and with the dignity fitting a Southern Belle."

Di Johnson