Janell W. Atchley

On October the 2nd 1935 the high temperature in San Angelo was 98 and in Brady it was 97. No one seems to have recorded the temperature in Eden Texas, but what was recorded that day was the birth of a baby girl to Cecil and Gertrude Williams. She came into the world at 7lbs 14 oz. Her father being the eternal jokester named her after his favorite mule Nellie. Her mother, being more pragmatic, changed the name before it was recorded on the birth certificate to something more feminine, Janell. This early naming would set the path for her life, and many who knew her would say that the mule was probably her spirit animal. She displayed this spirit animal all the time, since she was extremely hard working but had a stubborn streak a mile wide. She had three siblings Maetta (Mae), Roy and Rose Fay (Fay), In 1950 another sibling Ruth was born, then the family moved to Eldorado, Texas. Janell attended Eldorado school and graduated from High school there in 1954.

Janell went on to attend Abilene Christian College and studied home economics. While there she met her life companion Thurman Atchley. She married her young lieutenant in 1956 and moved to Pensacola Florida where he was finishing flight and Officer training school. In 1958 the stubborn streak came through when she walked a mile to the base hospital at Kingsville Texas, in the July heat, and gave birth to her first child Charles. After a redeployment to Virginia Beach In 1960, She gave birth to her first daughter Karen and followed up a year later with the birth of another daughter Cynthia in 1962.

In 1963 Thurman was assigned to Great Lakes, where their youngest son was born. Thurman went on to receive training for deployment to Vietnam. Her second son Mike in Illinois was born 2 years before she and her four kids moved to Japan. In the meantime Thurman flew from carriers in the south China sea. While in Japan Janell studied Japanese culture and took classes on Japanese doll making, floral arranging, cooking and sewing.

After returning to the states, Thurman left the military and received a teaching certificate at ACC. He and she moved the family to Odessa Texas.

Being a lifelong learner, Janell took advantage of the new University in Odessa to achieve dual degrees in Geology and Biology and received a teaching certificate in all sciences. After receiving her degrees she taught at Ector High School.

During her time at Ector High School she and a fellow teacher Mr. Hawkins pioneered an inclusive team-teaching model for teaching and they presented it at several conferences around the state.

Janell's love for minerals and Gems later led her to become a GIA certified gemologist and diamond grader. While doing this work she discovered that she had a phenomenal skill at selling diamonds, Janell went on to use this skill to be top salesman for several large jewelry chains and won cruises and bonuses along the way.

In the late 1960's Janell went on to become a Girl Scout leader for her daughters troop, where later she and Thurman helped lead the High Adventure Explorer Post for the Boy Scouts. As a scout leader she became a mom to many, inspiring countless children through her guidance, patience, humor, and encouragement.

One consistency in her life was her love of pets, especially wiener dogs. She also loved cats and owned several pampered darlings.

Janell leaves a rich legacy behind and will be missed by all who knew her,

On October the 18th she returned to her heavenly father, her beloved husband and a host of cats and dogs. She is survived by her four children Charles, Karen, Cynthia and Mike, and their spouses, eight grandchildren Rashell, David, Alyson, Madeleine, Blaine, Brooke, Matthew and Ashley, and nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and a host of dear friends.

A visitation for Janell will be held Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, 601 North Alleghaney, Odessa, TX 79761. A celebration of life will occur Monday, October 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, 601 North Alleghaney, Odessa, TX 79761. A committal service will occur Monday, October 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM at Dudley Memorial Cemetery, 12514 County Road 218, Abilene, TX 79602.