Beth M. Smith

BARRE TOWN – Beth (Marie Taylor Archer) Smith, 90, of Osborne Road passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, with family by her bedside.

Born on March 10, 1931, in Chelsea, she was the daughter of George and Ina (Waldo) Taylor.  Beth graduated from Chelsea High School in 1949.

In 1951, she married Richard Archer and together they had four children, Al, Sal, Cal and Hal Archer.

Over the years, Beth worked at the Chelsea Nursing Home, Vermont Department of Public Safety, Sprague Electric, Homer Fitts Company and National Life Insurance Company in Montpelier.

On August 15, 1975, she married Marcell Smith, and they resided for 42 years at Messier Drive on the East Barre Road, enjoying vacation travel, getting together with family and friends and snowmobiling.

Beth enjoyed cruising back roads – especially when it brought her around to the family homestead in Chelsea.  She had a real zest for life and had always said she hoped to drive fast enough to outrun old age!

Survivors include her son Alan Archer and his wife, Brenda of Milton, FL; her daughter Sally Archer Leszko and her husband, Edward of Barre Town; her son Hal Archer of Barre City; her stepson Ronald Smith and his wife, Susan of Marshfield; stepdaughter Sheila Smith of New Hampshire; stepson David Smith and his wife, Robin of Orange; stepdaughter Susan Graves and her husband, Gordon of South Carolina; stepdaughter Sandra Safford and her husband, David of Calais; three grandchildren; six step-grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Marcell; her son Calvin Archer; her step-grandson Dwayne Hudson; her brother Waldo Taylor; her sister June Shafer; and her nieces Virginia Taylor and Donna Taylor Putney.

The family would like to thank Amanda Putney for the compassionate and loving care she gave her “Aunt Beth” each and every time she came to the house for the last 4 ½ years.

A private graveside service to honor and celebrate Beth’s life will be held at the Highland Cemetery in Chelsea at the convenience of her family at a later date.   There are no calling hours.

In memory of Beth, please give someone you love a big HUG.