Betty "Sally" Archer

Betty Mae Archer of Portland, OR transitioned to be with the Lord on Monday, July 1, 2024, at the age of 84 years old. Originally named Mary Ella Blacknall by her great grandmother and family midwife, she was born January 15, 1940, in Groesbeck, TX to Lillie Mae and Reese Blacknall.


Betty married John Archer, known as Johnny on January 18, 1965, in Vancouver, WA. They shared 11 years of marriage. She built a career as a CNA where she worked at numerous nursing and retirement homes throughout the city before retiring to care for her mother.


Affectionately known as Sally by family and close friends, and Mother Archer by her
church community, she was extremely social and enjoyed being active, going
fishing, traveling, bowling, playing cards, dominoes, attending the horse and dog
races, quilting, sewing, and making ceramics. She received a number of certificates
of achievement for cake decorating and she loved watching cartoons, Bruce Lee
films, Godzilla movies and coloring. Most of all she loved spending time with family and close friends, hosting numerous family Sunday dinners.

She was known for making crochet blankets and dogs and her delicious foods, especially those barbie doll cakes. She was gifted in hospitality and with an open-door policy, she opened her home to everybody. Her mother and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was a mother of mothers.


Betty became a faithful member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church under the
leadership of Apostle Lee Arthur Madison where she was appointed as a ‘Mother’ of
the Church. She ended her days as a beloved Mother at New Zion Revival under the
Pastoral leadership of Pastor Willie Hurst where she served for nearly 20 years.

Betty Archer was preceded in death by her father, Reese Blacknall, mother, Lillie
Mae Blacknall, granddaughter Mahalia Blacknall and daughter-in-law, Toni Blacknall.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Dwaine and Reese Blacknall, daughter
Linda Long (Ken Long), grandchildren, Amanda Grear, Andira Harris, Rachel
Giambrone, Zacharay Little, Anthony Blacknall - Nelson of Las Vegas, Clerance
Harris, Jacques Harris and Brittany Harris, great grandchildren, Amia Harris, Midaya
Burns, Alaia Rogers, Audriella Harris, Liora Harris, Jacques Harris, Lillie Harris, Laila
Harris, Melanie Zuniga-Harris and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.