Jean Archer Obituary

Jean Norman Archer

May 16, 1929 - June 17, 2025

Archer, Jean Norman, of Richmond, passed away on June 17, 2025, at the age of 96. She was the younger daughter of Grace Pettus and Charles A. Norman. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter Gary Archer; her sister, Ann N. Blair; and her grandson, William (Bill) F. Kastelberg IV.

She is survived by her older daughter, Page A. Kastelberg (Rick); her son, Walter G. Archer, Jr. (Barb) all of Richmond; and younger daughter, Beverly A. Rhett (John) of Houghton, New York; her grandchildren, Carrington K. Gilliss (Neil), Ellen K. O'Neill (Daniel), Michael Archer (Sasha), Abby A. Duke (Chuck), James Rhett, and Thomas Rhett (Becca), and thirteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her nephew, Bill Blair, and two nieces, Betsy Blair and Trudy Logan. Family gatherings were her greatest joy - it was said that Jean 'never wanted to miss a party.'

Jean was valedictorian of the Thomas Jefferson High School class of 1946 and was an active member of the T.J. Alumni Committee of the class of '46. She attended Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She was a member of the Tuckahoe Woman's Club, the Country Club of Virginia, and St. James's Episcopal Church. She volunteered with her husband at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU for twelve years. She retired from Signet Bank after twenty exemplary years of employment. At her home at Westminster-Canterbury of Richmond she volunteered in the Treasure Chest shop and sang with the Canterbury Singers.

Jean loved to tell stories of spending childhood summers on the Rappahannock River near Urbanna in a simple cottage without electricity or running water. Her family shares - and has maintained - her love of being on the water. Jean enjoyed traveling, games, and most of all being with her family and friends, especially if she could listen to some Sinatra. She was a warm and elegant hostess in true Virginia fashion. As a Southerner, she enjoyed a Manhattan or Old Fashioned before dinner. Through the challenges in her long life she maintained uncommon strength, dignity, and resourcefulness. She took pride in looking 'put together' wherever she went. Jean remained active, engaged, and sharp to the very end. She was a devoted and beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be greatly missed.

Interment will be private at Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Bliley's, Central, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23230. A memorial service for Jean will then begin at 2 p.m. followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to The Fellowship Fund of Westminster Canterbury, 1600 Westbrook Ave., Richmond, Va. 23227, or the Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 980693, Richmond, Va. 23298.

Bliley's Funeral Home