Jananne Dalton Archibald

Jananne Dalton Archibald, age 72, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025. She was born on January 16, 1953, to her late parents, Jack and Nancy J. (Latham) Dalton. She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Scott L. Dalton and Shawn L. Dalton, sister, Beth D. Maxwell, father-in-law, Wallace W. Archibald, mother-in-law, Leah A. Archibald, and brother-in-law, Robert W. Archibald

Jananne worked as a Customer Service Representative for Trevor Jones State Farm, was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, PTA President, Newport News Schools School Board Member for 8 years, and an early morning Seminary teacher for 20+ years. She was a seamstress, enjoyed cooking, baking, reading, and loved reading scripture.

She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, James W. Archibald of Mechanicsville, VA., devoted mother of, David S. Archibald (Casey Fowler) of Conway, SC., Douglas J. Archibald (Megan Archibald) of Salt Lake City, UT, Kate Benjamin (Everton Benjamin) of Hope Mills, NC, Daniel K. Archibald (Jessica Archibald) of Newport News, VA, and Kim Fontaine (Kenneth Fontaine) of Ashland, VA; cherished grandmother of, Abigail Markel, Chris Markel, Matthew Archibald, Kailey Archibald, Chloe Archibald, Nolan Archibald, Wyatt Archibald, Owen Archibald, Isabelle Hall, Russell Hall IV, Liam Hall, Claire Archibald, Jonah Archibald, Samuel Archibald, Miles Archibald, Wells Archibald, Hayleigh Archibald, Edward Fontaine and Peter Fontaine; great-grandmother of, Lily Markel, Henrik Markel, Cecilia Markel and John Markel.

She is also survived by her siblings; Susan Dalton of McCall, ID, Ann Willden (Terry Willden) of Twin Falls, ID, Mark Dalton (Cyn Dalton) of Pahrump, NV; and extended family members; Marie Hall, Russell Hall, Glenda Archibald, Linda and Alan Call of Magna, UT, Janet Archibald of Covington, WA, Barbara and Sam Hemingway of Bountiful, UT, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends all around the world.

Jan spent her life in the service of her Lord and Savior. Her strength was her faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and His gospel. Her testimony is firm and unshakeable. Always learning and in the service of others. She was so happy to be elected to the Newport News, VA school board, serving for 8 years until her health would not allow her to continue. Jan was able to make a small difference in the education for students of Newport News. Jan especially loved her time as an early morning Seminary teacher. Teaching the youth of the church was her favorite thing, whether it was in Primary, Young Women or Seminary. Jan loved children, and her favorite was teenagers. Jan had a wicked sense of humor, loved to laugh, loved to hug, and loved feeding people, you never left her table hungry. Jan saw the best in people and in every situation. Even at the end of her life, she was thinking of others, telling us to go home and rest or have a party. Jan NEVER complained. On her hardest days she turned to her Heavenly Father for guidance and comfort. Jan’s family, especially her sweetheart of 54 years, Jim, was her greatest joy.

Relatives and friends are invited to Jananne's visitation on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 6 PM to 8 PM at Nelsen Funeral Home Reid Chapel, 412 S. Washington Hwy., Ashland, VA 23005, and on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 11:30 AM until the funeral service at 12:30 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 8005 Atlee Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Interment will follow at Signal Hill Memorial Park, 12360 Hanover Courthouse Rd, Hanover, VA 23069.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the MCV Foundation in support of Palliative Care Advanced Practice Nurse Training Project (MCV Foundation), noting on the check's memo line that the gift is in memory of Jananne D. Archibald, and mailed to VCU Gifts & Records, Box 843042, Richmond, VA 23284-3042. Online gifts may be made by visiting support.vcu.edu/give/medicine or support.vcu.edu/give/vcuhealth.