Virginia May Archuleta

Virginia May Archuleta passed away on June 15, 2023, in Trinity, Texas. She was born to Walter and Mildred Hurlbert on March 11, 1943, in Ong, Nebraska as the third child of their five children. She grew up in the Phoenix area where she graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1961. While working in Raton with Marion, she met Albert Victor Archuleta. They married and lived in many locations with the horse racing business. Ultimately, they settled in Drayden, Maryland where they raised their son Albert Harold (Chipper) born in 1973. In 1976 Albert's son, Albert Edward, from an earlier marriage came to live with them in Maryland when he was 16 years old. Edward's sister, Patsy, would spend time with them in the summer. After some time, Virginia and Albert started a local business they named Homestead Tack Shop, of which Virginia was the proprietor. Many family members would spend time in Maryland and some would join Albert and Edward working at Heritage Manor Farms, including Allen Mash, Sr., Bo Brafford, Keith Cole and Lee Cole. In 1980, they welcomed their daughter, Joice, and shortly thereafter they relocated to Florida then on to Texas. As life progressed, the marriage did not survive, but they built a strong family unit which thrives still today. For a time, Virginia, Chipper and Joice relocated to Mesa, Arizona while Albert remained in Huntsville. Edward joined Patsy in Los Angeles, then on to Texas in 1989. Virginia valued family greatly and made it a priority to visit with her siblings, Sherry, Diana and Herb and their families wherever they were living. She welcomed Edward and Patsy into the fold graciously and with lots of love. For a time, while in Arizona, she helped care for her mother in her twilight years. Virginia is predeceased by her parents, sisters Joyce and Sherry and her granddaughter Adley Mae. She is survived by her children with their spouses Chipper and Maria Archuleta, Joice and Bobby Byers, Edward and Betty Archuleta and Patsy and Rodney Guenther. She is also survived by her grandchildren Nate and his wife Gabby, Adrian, Mariah, Valynn, Rebecca and her husband Cully, Cassie her wife Roni, and one great-grandson Sebastian. Also surviving Virginia are her siblings Herb and her sister Diana and husband Larry Jeseritz along with their families including many nieces, nephews and cousins. Chipper's fondest memory with mom is putting her records on while they cleaned house and dancing the Mashed Potato, to the Monster Mash and Charlie Brown by The Coasters. Joice's favorite memories with mom are their shared love of retail therapy, going to the "The Happiest Place on Earth" and playing cards, what a poker face! Edward favorite time with mom was taking her to her doctor appointment followed by a trip to the pharmacy and ending with a breakfast order at IHOP. Patsy loved doing crafts with Virginia and teaching each other new methods of crafting. Virginia was a kind and gentle woman with a life-long love of crafting, games and horses. She was greatly loved and will be missed by many. May she rest in peace. The family would like to thank the staff at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Virginia May Archuleta to St. Jude Children's Hospital, https://www.stjude.org, or Texas Children's Hospital, https://give.texaschildrens.org. Friends and family will gather for a visitation at 10:00 AM at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, with the service immediately following at 11:00 AM. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com. You may view a tribute video in honor of Virginia at the following link: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/CQRMCCX5SPPJQMPC

Virginia May Archuleta

March 11, 1943 - June 15, 2023