Nellie Yohannan, 86, died December 22, 2016 in Modesto, California. 

Nellie was born December 31, 1929, in Urmia, Persia, to Benjamin and Hanna (Pera) BitShamoon. Nellie grew up in Iran and came to the United States in the 1950s to live with her Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jerry Baddell in Turlock, California.

Nellie studied dress design at Modesto Junior College, where she graduated with an AA degree in June 1960. In addition to sewing, Nellie’s personal interests included painting, stamp collecting, and playing cards with family and friends.

Nellie met her future husband, John, at a picnic. They married June 25, 1960, in San Francisco. Nellie and John lived in the Bay Area of California for several years before moving to Modesto in 1973. John died in 2010, just shy of their 50-year anniversary.

Nellie worked as a bookkeeper for several businesses, including JC Penney in the Bay Area plus General Tire and Servomation Corporation in Modesto. Most of all, she was a loving and devoted wife and mother.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Denise Yohannan, of La Grande, Oregon; grandchildren, Alexa and Derek Yohannan, also of La Grande; brother 

and sister-in-law, Clarence and Lilyosa BitShamoon, of Modesto; and sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Brian Bland, of Modesto.

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Rhonda; her brother, Miles; and her sister, Lily.

Visitation will be at Allen Mortuary on Thursday, December 29th from 4 to 6 pm. Funeral Service will be held at 10 am on Friday, December 30th at First Presbyterian Church, 2619 N. Berkeley Ave, Turlock, CA 95382. Burial will follow at Turlock Memorial Park. Please leave memories and condolences at www.allenmortuary.com.