Mrs. Gladys Archie

Mrs. Gladys Victoria Archie was born December 14, 1934 to the late Willie B. and Bessie Gibson Anderson.  Surrounded by her loving family, she transitioned peacefully at home on August 13, 2025. 

She grew up in Newport News, VA; graduated from Huntington High School in 1952; then earned a BS degree from Tennessee A & I State College (now Tennessee State University) in 1956.  Her first teaching experience was at Y. H. Thomas Junior High School in Hampton, VA. 

During her college years at TSU, she met Charles Archie from Gastonia, NC.  While Charles was employed with Goodyear AEC in Ohio, he asked Gladys to meet him in Gastonia for Christmas. During her visit, Charles borrowed two dollars from her to pay for a marriage license.  They married on December 25, 1956, and he never paid the loan. 

Charles soon entered the Air Force, and Gladys joined him on his first assignment at Ellington AFB in Houston, TX.  This was the beginning of several assignments in fourteen different US cities and three overseas.  At one air force base, she was selected assistant treasurer, first vice president, then president of the Officers’ Wives’ Club, the first Black in that position.  She was vice president of the PTA, and held other positions associated with the OWC and squadron wives.  Gladys taught school in the DOD school system on the island of Guam and in Izmir, Turkey. 

Her foreign travel included Jamaica, London, Germany, Thailand, Philippines, Hawaii, Sicily, the Vatican, Istanbul, Spain, Sistine chapel, Sigonella Italy, and the last home of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus, Turkey. 

After returning to Hampton, VA in 1982, she became the home base substitute for Huntington Middle School, and received the Distinguished Service Award.  Gladys was an active member of the Newport News chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and a DST Diamond Life member with 50-year pin. 

Throughout her husband’s military career, Gladys followed Charles on all his military assignments.  A devoted and loving wife, she was his greatest supporter and fearless advocate.  Gladys always made home a haven for her family, full of love and nurturing for her two children, Karen and David, to thrive. 

With the various military assignments, Gladys understood Charles’s love and commitment to the House of Prayer, and attended wherever there was one close.  She grew up in a neighborhood with House of Prayer friends, and loved the parades in Newport News.  She always insisted that they attend the Convocation in Newport News and Charlotte.  Gladys joined the House of Prayer in Gastonia, NC, and transferred her membership to Newport News #2 once they returned home.  Preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Millie, she was the last surviving member of her family. 

Cherishing precious memories are her loving husband of 68 years, Charles; her daughter, Karen Archie, and son, David M. Archie (wife Deanna); two grandchildren, David D. Archie (wife D’Erricka), and Deonte’ M. Archie; three great-grandchildren, Bray’Den, Karsyn, and Maisyn Archie; three nieces, Robin Butler, Phyllis Haith White, and Rhonda Montgomery Davis; six nephews, Alex Arrington, Terry Jones, Ronald Montgomery, Stanley Montgomery, Gerald Montgomery, and Robert White; along with extended family, friends, and coworkers. 

The Delta's Sigma Theta Omega Omega Service for Mrs. Archie, will be held 5:30 p.m. Friday, August 22, 2025 in the Rose-Emily Memorial Chapel of C.C. Carter Funeral Home. 

It is the desire of the Archie family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Mrs. Gladys Archie has entrusted her final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home.

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