Janet Bailey Shieldes

On November 14, 2025, Janet Bailey Shieldes, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed quietly after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Janet was born in Greenville, Texas, in 1947 to Malcolm and Rosemary Bailey. She was then raised in Sulphur Springs, where she attended Sulphur Springs High School as an active and high-achieving student. Janet was a founding member of the Blue Blazes’ Drill Team, an editorial writer for the school newspaper, and a member of various other school organizations. After the conclusion of her senior year, she was crowned as the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed a degree in secondary education (focus in English and History). While there, she began her volunteering career through Gamma Delta Epsilon.

After graduating from UT, Janet married her high school sweetheart, Bill Shieldes. Though Bill attended Texas A&M University, their marriage was a long and happy one, and Thanksgivings were always free of strife. While Bill was completing his undergraduate and graduate degrees, they lived in College Station and Janet taught high school in Navasota. Once Bill completed his degrees, they moved to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. It was there that Janet determined that hell is in fact cold and not hot. As an Air Force wife, she taught speed reading to airmen, volunteered in family services, and joined Beta Sigma Phi beginning a 50+ year association.

In the early 1970s, the family returned to private life in north Texas, where Janet began a 35+ year eclectic career as a travel agent, schoolteacher, city zoning officer, and finally in the credit card processing business. In addition to her work, Janet raised her two sons, taught Sunday School, served as a cub scout den leader, and contributed to the boys’ PTA activities. She also found the energy to complete a Master of Liberal Arts degree from SMU. Throughout her life, Janet was active in the United Methodist Church, but even more so after joining Stonebridge United Methodist Church where she served most significantly as a Stephen Minister/Leader (her passion). Additionally, she was an usher for the Dallas Theatre Center, a trail guide for the Heard Museum, a member of the Heard Guild, and a member of the Owl Club.

Janet was a lover of travel, whether through books or in person. Through books, she was an inveterate reader of mysteries, fantasy, and science fiction. In person, she visited four continents, fifteen foreign countries, four Greek isles, three Caribbean islands, plus 38 of these United States. During her many cruises, she sailed on the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, through the Panama Canal, and around the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Janet cared deeply for others through her volunteer work, by augmenting her family with rescued cats and dogs, and by tending to her father-in-law and mother in their final years.

In her later years, despite experiences the memory lapses that would only grow in time, Janet was fortunate to see her desire to be a grandmother fulfilled.

Janet is survived by her husband Bill Shieldes, their two children Scott of Houston with his husband J.J., and Lee of Houston with his wife, Susan, along with granddaughter Elizabeth Marie. Janet was preceded in death by her parents.

The family deeply appreciates the wonderfully committed staff at the continuing care facility at Highland Springs.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you rescue a pet, plant a tree, or contribute to Alzheimer’s research.

There will be a celebration of life to honor Janet at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Allen Family Funeral Options.

Janet will be laid to rest at Custer Road United Methodist Church’s columbarium.