Doris Archer and Jean Heath celebrated a 50-year relationship ending with Archer’s death on March 19, 2012.
Doris Archer
They enjoyed the many years entertaining their family, playing penny poker, celebrating events, the birth and birthdays of their numerous nieces and nephews, gardening, cooking, helping others, and traveling the U.S. in their RV.
Archer was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a brother. She is survived by three sisters, Anna Calvin, Pamela Archer and her “loving” twin sister Deloris Draper; numerous nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Archer was a teacher who began her career in Wichita Falls, where she met Heath, a nurse anesthetist. They moved to Lewisville in 1986 to be near family, and Archer continued teaching until her retirement in 1993.
Her zest for life and outgoing personality made a lasting impression on her students and friends. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and warm friendship making everyone feel special. She buzzed all over her church before and after services hugging old friends and making new ones. She loved her time gardening, and caring for her many cats, turtles and any animal needing a home.
Since Archer was an educator, she donated her body to UT Southwestern Medical School to be used for the teaching and training of future doctors — a true servant spirit.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16, with the Rev. Dawson Taylor officiating, with a musical tribute given by the music department at the Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Road in Dallas.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 15, 2012.