Valerie Ann Archer

Valerie Ann Archer was born on April 23, 1930 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Harry Martin and Lucille Sheard Grode.

She attended Academy of the Sacred Heart and Newcomb College in New Orleans. While serving as a bridesmaid for her best friend, little did she know a fellow groomsman, D. Dale Archer, would one day become her groom.

In 1959, Valerie and Dale made Lake Charles their home. She was a dutiful and loving wife and mother to her family and many of the neighborhood children in Oak Park. She was proud of her family and her husband’s dedication in in establishing The Eye Clinic and working as one of the first surgeons at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Valerie also served as President of the Ladies’ Medical Auxiliary of Memorial Hospital.

Valerie was a dedicated volunteer involved with many community programs: she served as President of the Lake Charles Junior League. She was also a founding member of the Krewe of Mystique and served as Queen.  Her Mardi Gras dress is on display at the Mardi Gras Museum in Lake Charles.

Cooking truly was Valerie’s passion and she loved to host elegant parties and family dinners. She loved cooking so much that she traveled to Paris to attend La Varenne Culinary School. There, alongside classically trained French chefs, she perfected her abilities and created highly requested personal recipes. Many of her original recipes can be found in the Lake Charles Junior League Cookbook, Pirate’s Pantry.  Her daughter and grandchildren cherish favorite memories of cooking alongside her, especially family recipes such as Crawfish Bisque and Crabmeat Remick.

Spending time with her family was important, often they would hit the road in their motorhome to take in the sights of Alaska, Canada and Europe. She and Dale loved visiting their grandchildren across the US, spending time in New York trying new restaurants and seeing Broadway shows.

You know the old saying “If you can’t beat them, join them”? this is how she found her love of golfing. She played many rounds with Dale and her ladies’ group at Lake Charles Country Club.  She and Dale were invited to join People to People Golf International and they traveled the world as goodwill ambassadors for the United States.

Valerie was welcomed into Heaven on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, exactly three years following the passing of her beloved husband, Dewey Dale Archer, Sr. M.D.  To greet her were her parents, Harry Martin and Lucille Sheard Grode, sister Shearly Grode Helmer and brother, Harry Martin Grode, Jr.

Those left to cherish her memory, son D. Dale Archer Jr., M.D.; daughter and best friend, Lee Ann Archer, J.D. ; grandchildren, D. Dale Archer III (wife Julienne Marie Quion Hee) of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Adrianna Archer Ross (Husband Andrew Ross) of London, UK; great granddaughters, Camilla Aimee’ Ross, Caroline Claire Ross, and Ayla Marie Archer.

On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, her daughter Lee will receive family and friends from 9:30 AM until the time-of-service in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home. Funeral Liturgy services will begin at 10:30 AM. Monsignor Daniel Torres will lead liturgy. Valerie will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband in the Columbarium of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

Her son Dale will be unable to attend services on Tuesday, June 28^th. However, he has planned a for a private memorial service honoring his mother at a later date in Hardtner Hall of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

In lieu of flowers, family asks donations to be made in Valerie’s honor to the McNeese Foundation.

We invite you to leave a fond memory or sentiment of condolences on our website www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.