Chleda L. Archer

Chleda Lou Fisher Archer, 86, of Zanesville, Ohio, Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at 4:00 AM at her home, ending a long courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Chleda Lou was born on July 15, 1934, in Zanesville, Ohio, to Myrtle and Michael Fisher. She graduated from Zanesville High School and attended the North Terrace Wesleyan Methodist Church. After high school, Chleda Lou was introduced to her husband, Verlin, whom she married on July 26, 1958. Married for 62 years, she is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Verlin G. Archer, and together they raised six children: Cindy (Bill) Keuper of Fort Thomas, Ky., Debra Archer of Zanesville, and Karen (Steven) Parker of Salem, Va., two sons: John (Lynda) Archer of Cincinnati, and Wesley (Rebekah) Archer of Zanesville. She also leaves behind fourteen precious grandchildren and fifteen precious great-grandchildren. Chleda was preceded in death by her loving daughter Kristy (Paul) Riddle, and five older siblings.

During Chleda’s time on earth her family was her kingdom. Chleda was an avid gardener and predominantly provided food for the household through her tireless work in the garden.  Enjoying cooking and baking, she would often create her own recipes, but then she always had to find a subject to test her new creation. “Try it, just once,” she would say. Her creations were not limited to the kitchen, but she spent hours sewing beautiful clothing for her children. Every seam was meticulously straight, every button perfectly paired with the fabric. Although she was not perfect, Chleda was a godly woman, and everything that Chleda did, she did it for the Lord. Her instructions to her family were by example, words, and actions. She loved the Lord and taught her children to love God. After Chleda became saved in her mother-in-law’s home, Verlin would come home from work late at night and find her studying the Bible or preparing for her Sunday school lesson with commentaries strewn around her while her children slept. Chleda did not own diamonds and precious jewels, nor did she clothe herself in fancy garments, rather, she clothed herself in God’s wisdom and strength. This is why all of her “children call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her,” and card for his loving wife “in sickness and in health.”

In simple terms, Chleda was a wife, mother, gardener, seamstress, chef, biblical scholar, the list goes on. But to weave together these roles into the God-glorifying masterpiece she so beautifully employed on a daily basis was anything but simple. Her life, as a testimony to others, is one spoken out of Proverbs. Chleda’s divine skillsets included a savviness for business which were ahead of her time and the gender norm. Her matriarchy leaves with us an earthly legacy that will continue to produce and eternal fruit for our children and our children’s children. How blessed are we to have been loved by, cared for, and impressed by this strong and beautiful creation of God?

It is the family’s wish to have a private funeral at Farus Funeral Home of New Concord on January 8, 2021, followed by a private graveside service. Memorial contributions may be made in Chleda’s name to Genesis Hospice (713 Forrest Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio, 43701) or any Alzheimer Foundation of your choice.

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