Janell Birddie (Nix) Sheldon

Janell Birddie (Nix) Sheldon, 92, passed away on June 15, 2025. She was born on December 7, 1932, in Waco, Texas, to Wray and Mabel Nix. Though she only spent her early childhood years in Texas, the accent stayed with her for life. Her father worked as a cotton grader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and soon had the family moving to Washington D.C., where Janell spent her formative years dancing the jitterbug and punching programming cards for early IBM computers. After high school, she moved with her parents to Fresno, California, where she met and married her husband, Ronald Sheldon. In 1961, the two found their forever home on Palma Drive in Salinas where they raised their three daughters and built a business, Floors and More.

After selling the business in 1997, and traveling the country with her husband in a motor home, Janell went to work at the Monterey County Election Department. She loved Salinas and was passionate about giving back to her community. She served on the board of Soroptimist, Door to Hope, the YMCA, and volunteered at the Steinbeck House and Girl Scouts. She was a member of First Baptist Church Salinas for over 60 years. Janell was an avid quilter and knitter and bestowed her treasured gifts on family and friends. 

Janell never met a stranger and was always ready to feed an army of guests, even when she moved to assisted living. Her greatest pride was in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the numerous children through the years who would grow to know her as a bonus mom. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, and husband. Janell is survived by her three daughters, Jana Hiley (James), Ronda Valenzuela (Claudio) and Luan Bushta (Jeff) as well as seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, on the corner of Blanco and San Vincente, on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Reception will immediately follow at Ivy Park at Salinas Assisted Living. Graveside service will take place on Tuesday, June 24 at 10:00 a.m. in Laton, California.

If you would like to honor Janell’s memory, please make a donation to your favorite charity; volunteer in your community; share your hobby with friends and family or learn a new hobby, hug your loved ones and be kind to your neighbor.