Janet Ann Burdette's Obituary
Jan Burdette, The One, The Only, The Legendary
Janet A Burdette of Tucker, GA., died January 9, 2019. Jan was born, Janet Ann Jawelak on April 2, 1929, in Pittsburgh, PA. She attended catholic school and was so bright she skipped a grade in elementary school. She attended the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology in 1950.
The Korean War was underway and Jan came from a very patriotic family. Jan was determined to serve her country. She was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) when she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. She was first assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia and later transferred to Fort Meade, Maryland. It was at Fort Meade where Jan met her husband of 49 years, Owen Burdette.
Jan rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the WAC. Jan and Owen were assigned to Orleans, France after Fort Meade. Jan was Honorably discharged from the WAC in 1954 when she was expecting her first child, Dennis. Owen stayed in the Army and their second child, Kathy, was born in France too.
The growing Burdette family moved to Decatur, GA after Owen went in the Army Reserves in 1956. In 1957 Diana was born, in 1958 Wayne was born, and in 1960 Bill was born. Jan and Owen had 5 children in 6 and 1/2 years. They were able to boast about having 5 teenagers at one time for a period of 7 months.
Jan worked as a research assistant at Emory University for 5 years. In 1966 she started teaching at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School. Jan loved teaching and was able to get a Fellowship from the National Science Foundation to attend Emory University as a graduate student. Jan got her Masters from Emory in 1969, followed by her T-6, also from Emory in 1972. Jan got her PhD from Georgia State University on April 2, 1989, her 60th Birthday. Jan was the recipient of National Science Foundation Fellowships for all 3 of her advanced degrees.
Jan chose to work in the Atlanta City Public School System for the rest of her career in teaching. She felt teaching for the City of Atlanta was the best way to serve her community. Jan was a true civil rights leader, during a time when racial segregation was the norm. Jan continued to serve as a pillar of strength as Atlanta transitioned into the diverse community it is today.
Jan worshiped at the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Catholic Church until she could no longer attend mass. Jan's retirement favorite pastime was playing Bridge. She was involved with more than one Bridge Club and played 11 times per month at various locations.
After retiring from the City of Atlanta in 1994, Jan continued to teach part time at Georgia Tech. She joined the IHM Board of Education. After Jan and Owen were retired, they traveled extensively to places as far away as Alaska and Australia. In 1997, Jan retired completely as her husband health started to deteriorate. Up until Christmas of 2018, Jan's holidays were always spent with close family friends and relatives.
Preceded in death her husband Owen M. Burdette. She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-laws Dennis and Judy Burdette of McDonough, Wayne Burdette of Stone Mountain, William and Robin Burdette of Duluth; daughters and son-in-law Katherine and Ronald Miller of Tucker and Diana Burdette of Dacula; grandchildren, Christina, Julie, James, Amanda, Andrew, Katherine, Jessica, William and Kimberly; 14 great grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law Grechen and Thomas Brezarich of Lakewood, WA.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 18 at 10:30 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 1000 GA-155 N, McDonough, GA 30252. Interment Eastview Cemetery, 1138 Woodland Rd, NE, Conyers, GA 30012, viewing will be Thursday, January 17 at George W. Levett Sr. & Sons, 1299 Milstead Ave., Conyers, GA family will receive friends from 6 to 8.
Jan's favorite hymn was, "On Eagles Wings". God has called Jan home, she goes there, "On Eagles Wings".
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