Janell Whitlock was born May 4, 1938 in Yell County, Arkansas to Troy and Vera Estelle (Mathis) English. Even at a young age, Janell was a success at everything she did. She was her high school valedictorian and an outstanding basketball point guard. She once scored 44 points in a single game. She moved to Carlsbad, NM in 1957.

Judge, City Councilor, County Commissioner, Retiree Advocate and Humanitarian -while Janell's list of professional accomplishments rivals that of any other individual in the state. Janell was a compassionate individual who cared deeply for those around her and for the entire community - and she devoted her considerable problem-solving skills toward making the world around her a better place.

Janell worked a number of careers prior to beginning her tenure in city court in

1983. She served as Chief Court Clerk and then later as Municipal Judge, where she had a reputation for being tough but fair. Janell served a four-year term on the Eddy County Commission and then an eight-year term on Carlsbad City Council. As an elected official, she was known for doing her homework and coming to every meeting well prepared.

Janell also served as the Director of Retirement for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, a position that was later renamed the Age Friendly Director. Under her watch, Carlsbad became New Mexico's first Age Friendly Community. She took a personal approach to welcoming retirees to Carlsbad - often taking newcomers out for meals and sitting with them at community events to help them feel welcome. She passed peacefully in her home July 29, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer.