Janet Burke Alther, age 75, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, on September 26, 2025, at Inova Fairfax Hospital following a sudden illness. Mrs. Alther was born August 10, 1950, in Washington, VA, to the late Gabe and Florence Foster Burke.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Roy Alther; three children, Roy Alther Jr. (Karen) of Virginia Beach, Melissa Geer (Matthew) of Lignum, and Stacey Campbell (Nickolas) of Jeffersonton. Her legacy continues through her four adored grandchildren, Daniel Alther, Emily Alther, Jacob Geer, and Kaylee Campbell.
Additional survivors include 3 brothers, Rannie Burke, William Burke, and Paul Burke; as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Moses Burke, Charles Burke, and James Davis Burke; and five sisters, Violet Baldwin, Helen Smoot, Doris Payne, Mary Ida Owens, and Cecil Baldwin.
Janet was a familiar and beloved presence in the Sperryville community, known as the warm and welcoming face behind the counter at Roy and Janet's Fruit Market. At the market, she enjoyed listening to music, especially Elvis Presley, and chatting with everyone who stopped in. Prior to this, she dedicated over two decades to the Aileen factory in Flint Hill, followed by several years of meticulous work in the operating room department at Fauquier Health Hospital. Later, she brought her care and attention to detail to The Inn at Little Washington, where she worked as a housekeeper. Janet took pride in all of her work, but her greatest joy was being a mother and a "Grammy." Her devotion and boundless love for her family was clear to everyone. She will never be forgotten. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2025, at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, Culpeper. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 11:00am.
Burial will follow at Washington Masonic Cemetery. Pastor Jon Heddleston will be officiating. The family invites those unable to attend to watch via livestream at
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc1OTE3NzgxODM4MjQ3MCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== Pallbearers will be Daniel Alther, Jacob Geer, Matthew Geer, Nickolas Campbell, Joshua Alther, and Mario Montejo Garcia.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at
www.foundandsons.com Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpepe is serving the family.
Published by InsideNoVa on Sep. 29, 2025.