Jan Burks

Janet “Jan” Getty Burks, 71, of Chapel Hill, passed away peacefully at home on September 16, 2026. 

She was born on May 5, 1955, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Hugh and Geraldine Getty. After graduating from Hall High School in Little Rock, she earned a BA from Vanderbilt University (where she swam on the school’s first NCAA women’s swim team) and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Jan met her husband, Wesley, while she was in law school. Together for forty-five years, they raised three children, moved several times between their beloved Arkansas and their adopted North Carolina, enjoyed innumerable sporting events, cared for three dear family pets, and spent endless hours together–playing tennis, traveling, walking, talking, reading. For thirty years Jan worked as an attorney with the Social Security Administration. Her legal medical opinions helped those in need navigate the complex world of Social Security regulations.

Jan’s life centered on her family, her faith, and her friends. She gave of herself constantly, whether tutoring children in reading or volunteering at TABLE, a hunger relief organization in Chapel Hill. Her favorite hymn, “Here I Am, Lord,” was more than a song to her; its call to go where needed was an ethic of selflessness that defined her life.

Jan loved to garden, especially caring for her roses, and to walk her dog, read, and travel. She was the keeper of the family recipes, and many would say she made the world’s best key lime pie. Above all, she delighted in being “GJ” to her grandchildren. She faced dementia with a quiet dignity and grace, never failing to say thank you to her caregivers.

Jan is survived by her husband, Wesley Burks; their children, Chris Burks, Sarah Burks Moore, and Collin Burks; and her brother, Don Getty. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Richard “Rik” Getty. 

The family is deeply grateful to Sara Montoya, Jan’s full-time caregiver, whose loving care went above and beyond over the last several years. 

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church in Durham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Carolina Children’s Jan Getty Burks Assistance Fund (346341 at https://give.unc.edu/tribute/jburks) or TABLE (https://tablenc.org).