Janet M. Weaver HERNDON, VA Sunrise: Nov. 6, 1921 Sunset: Sept. 18, 2016 Just short of her 95th birthday, Janet departed this life with family nearby on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Herndon, VA. Janet Weaver was born Janet Malenda Melton on Nov. 6, 1921, in Roxobel, NC. She and her brother, Joseph (Buddy), were born to Joseph and Mary Bishop Melton. By the time she was four, Janet's parents moved the family to Trenton, NJ. After a few years, the Meltons settled on North Montgomery Street, where Janet's father and uncle operated their storefront barbershop. Janet began her education at the "new" Lincoln School and the family attended Mt Zion Methodist Church on Perry Street. Janet graduated from Trenton Central High School in June 1940. Janet married Alfonso (Fonie) Weaver in August 1940 and they were blessed with six children (Carol, Alfonso Jr., twins Lawrence and Anthony, Michael and Christine). During the 1940's, Janet and Fonie lived above their tailor shop and dry cleaning business at 206 Perry Street. Janet loved her family and was extremely proud of her children, which was most evident while sharing stories about them. She was a strong advocate for education which she imparted to her children. From 1949 thru 1987, the Weaver family home was located at 187 Pennington Avenue. Janet was an active member of Saint Paul's AME Church on Willow Street for many years. In 1997, she joined Union Baptist Church after visiting many years and being inspired by its pastor, the Reverend Spencer. Through the years, Janet also found the time to be involved in the American Legion Auxiliary Post 182 on Brunswick Avenue as the proud mother of sons who had served in the military for their country. During her tenure in the Auxiliary, she held various leadership roles including treasurer and president. In addition to raising her children, Janet worked outside of the home operating her own business "Janet's Luncheonette' at 253 North Broad Street. After the business closed, she held various positions at Cuban Tobacco Co, Saint Francis Hospital, Princeton University and retired as a N.J. State employee after 13 years of service. Shortly after Janet's husband, Fonie, passed away in 2005, she moved from Trenton to places near her children - first a little north to Princeton, NJ, near her sons, Michael and Al; then to Arizona with her daughter, Carol; and finally to Fairfax County, VA, near her son, Anthony. There, she joined First Baptist Church of Vienna, where she was comforted by the love of her church family and remained in the area until her passing. Two children, Lawrence and Christine, predeceased Janet along with her husband, Fonie. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Carol Ann West of Gilbert, AZ; her sons and their wives, Alfonso Jr and Beth of Beachwood, NJ; Anthony and Diann of Oak Hill, VA; and Michael and Stephanie of Southport, NC. Janet is also survived by nine beloved grandchildren, Camille (John), Darnell (Michelle), Shelley (Calvin), Jocelyne (Miguel), Danyelle (Bobby), Andia, Michael Jr. (Lindsay), Caitlin and Sarah (Andrew) along with 12 great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends. Homegoing services for Janet Melton Weaver are on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016; viewing is at 10 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m.; Senior Pastor Dr. Vernon C. Walton, First Baptist Church Vienna, 450 Orchard Street, NW, Vienna, VA 22180, with interment immediately after services at Stonewall Memorial Gardens in Manassas, VA.

Published in The Times, Trenton, on Sept. 22, 2016