December 29, 2010

Mrs E. Otelia Cooper-Archer, 84, of 1204 Lakeview Court, Chesapeake, died Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, at Sentara Nursing Center in Portsmouth.

She was a native of Gatesville, N.C., and the daughter of the late Iris Ann Simmons-Nowell and Frank Cooper, but was raised by William Nowell, whom she affectionately called “Pops.”

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph “Monk” Archer; 14 sisters and brothers; and a friend of 40 years, Robert J. Jones.

She was employed at Lummis Peanut Company for more than 35 years. Otelia was affiliated with Local 26 Union for more than 30 years.

She was a former member of Lebanon Grove Baptist Church in Gatesville, N.C., and attended Tabernacle Baptist Outreach Center frequently. She resided on Tynes and Factory Street in Suffolk for many years before moving to Chesapeake in 2005 with her daughter, Ethel, and son-in-law, George Blount.

She leaves to cherish her memory: three daughters, Iris Goodman (Glendon), of Gates, N.C., Viola Marie Archer Leslie and Ethel D. Archer-Blount (George), both of Chesapeake; two sons, David L. Archer Sr. (Ida Marie), of Durham, N.C., and George L. “Bopete” Archer, of Suffolk; two sisters, Iristeen Harvey, of Gates, N.C., and Christine Taylor, of Hampton; one brother, Octavies Nowell of Montclair, N.J.; 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; a devoted friend, Mrs. Catherine Williams; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011, at Tabernacle Baptist Outreach Center, 3621 Nansemond Parkway, officiated by the Rev. Nathaniel Scates and the Rev. Robert Wilkins. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of Ethel and George Blount, 1204 Lakeview Court, Chesapeake.

Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.