Avis Lorene Archer's Obituary
Dr. Lorene Sturdivant Archer, age 89, died peacefully on August 14, 2005. Despite accident, Parkinson?s disease, the indignities of growing older, and the loss of her beloved husband, Dr. Elton W. Archer?she remained cheerful, friendly, and stoic.
Born January 8, 1916 to Sarah Robertson Youree and James E. Sturdivant, in Union County, Arkansas, she graduated at 15 as valedictorian from Norphlet Arkansas High and again as valedictorian from ElDorado Junior College. She received her B.A. with High Honors from Hendrix College; her M.A. from George Peabody College for Teachers Vanderbilt University, and her Ph.D. from East Texas State University now part of Texas A & M.
Although Lorene thought she would never marry, one hot July in 1943 she threw caution to the wind and took a train to Ft. Benning, GA to marry the soldier boy Pvt. Elton Webster Archer. After only three months, he shipped out to the China-Burma-India Theatre of WW II, to return two years later. They were married 60 years, totally devoted to one another and an inspiring witness to others about the delights of marital constancy, no matter the circumstances. Their marriage reflected the fruits of the Spirit: joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Their home was warm and happy, welcoming all who entered to share the pleasures of family.
A life-long educator, Lorene taught hundreds of children and young adults. After locating to Longview in 1948, she taught at South Ward Elementary and later at Foster Jr. High. She also taught at J. R. Moore Junior High in Tyler, TX. She was Elementary Consultant for the Longview Public Schools. She finished her career as Chair of the Education Department of East Texas Baptist University; then directed the Longview School of Education. She spent her retirement years as a volunteer for the Gregg County Hospital and for the Longview Police Department, among others.
Active throughout her life in educational organizations, Lorene held offices in Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma, T.A.I.R, T.C.T.A, and T.S.T.A, among others. She was a Workshop and Seminar leader for Region VII and Region VIII Education Service Center. She authored a number of articles for educational journals.
With her husband, she published Red the Rose, Sharp the Thorn, an account of one family?s struggles with Huntington?s disease. She mailed copies of that book to grieving families all over the world. Her files burst with letters of appreciation from those who received inspiration from her words. She had other books to complete, including a book of devotional titled Short Thoughts for Long Moments and a book of Installations, based on her experience of installing so many people to organizational offices.
A member of First Baptist Church Longview for over 50 years, she taught Sunday School, made speeches, and served her Lord. She now rests in His glory. Even in her limited circumstances at the end, she continued to bless others and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her children: Dr. Jane Archer Feinstein, Elton W. Archer, Jr., Dr. Glenn D. Archer; two sisters: Louise Bell and Ethell Jerry Pollan Dempwolf; 10 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. She also leaves to grieve her many friends, as well as her nurses, and caretakers at Buckner Villas Retirement Community in Austin, TX.
Graveside services will be at 9 am at Grace Memorial Gardens. Funeral services celebrating her life will be at 10 am in Ford Chapel at First Baptist Church, Longview. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Kevin Archer, Jonathan Archer, Zachary Archer, David Feinstein, Paul Webster Feinstein; and her son-in-law, Paul Feinstein. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons Will Bjorklund and Mike Bjorklund; and her granddaughters: April Dietrich, Amy Ellis, and Sarah Feinstein.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to First Baptist Church, Longview; the Cast a Wider Net fund of First Baptist Church Austin; East Texas Baptist University Marshall, TX; Buckner Villas Retirement Community of Austin, TX; and the South Longview Rotary Club.
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