Archer’s first African American female mayor and longtime community advocate, Roberta “Betty” Campbell Lopez, died on Feb.11 at the age of 87, according to a release sent from her family. 

“Lopez is remembered as a tireless advocate for Archer and a leader who believed in bringing people together to create lasting change,” the release stated. “Her contributions to civic life, preservation and community development continue to shape the city she loved.” 

Born on Sept. 18, 1938, the Archer-native made history as the first African American woman elected to the Archer City Commission in 2006. She later served as vice mayor before becoming Archer’s first Black female mayor in 2010. 

According to the release, Lopez’s lifelong dedication to community and civic engagement was shaped by historic events she experienced early in life, such as the 1963 March on Washington, where she witnessed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech while living in D.C. as a young woman. 

Lopez built a career in public service and administration. She held positions at Potomac Electric and Power Company, Eastern Airlines, United Way and the Hillsborough County Government, where she retired as a Community Affairs Director. 

In 2000, Lopez returned to Archer to care for her elderly mother. She volunteered extensively in the community, the release said, stepping into leadership roles that would leave a lasting mark on the city.  

Alongside her husband of nearly six decades, Francisco “Frank” Lopez, she helped register residents to vote and co-founded the Northwest Archer Community Association. There, she led beautification efforts around the city, supported senior residents and created youth programs to strengthen neighborhoods. 

Lopez served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including the Alachua County Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization Citizen Advisory Committee, Keep Alachua County Beautiful, the Alachua County Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee, the Alachua County Indigent Healthcare Committee, Habitat for Humanity and the Archer Historical Society. 

“[Lopez] was known for welcoming people into her home with a home-cooked meal and for constantly asking how she could help others,” the release said. “Her life was guided by a belief in service, humility and strengthening community ties.” 

Lopez’s family said one of her most enduring legacies is the Archer Community Center.  

In 2003, Lopez helped lead the effort to transform Archer’s abandoned 1936 high school gymnasium into a multi-purpose community space, which opened in 2011 as the Archer Community Center. 

Lopez worked to raise more than $900,000 for the project through grants, government partnerships and community support for the facility, which hosts youth programs, community meetings and cultural events. 

She also served as president of the Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Cemetery Restoration Organization (BMECO) until 2025, where she worked to preserve and protect the historic land for generations of Archer families, including her own, and veterans. 

“To this organization, she will always be remembered first as a protector of history, a voice for preservation and a champion for the community,” said BMECRO in a Facebook post. “She did it her way—and her way made a difference.” 

Various entities have honored Lopez with awards, including Santa Fe College’s Woman of Distinction award, the Alachua County Democratic Party’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award and the city of Archer’s Recognition Award. 

Lopez’s family said they and the community will carry on her legacy of service, leadership and unwavering dedication to others and continue the work she started. 

“Those of us who were blessed to know her will carry her spirit forward, with the same courage, the same heart, and the same belief that one person, committed to service, can change a community forever,” said daughter Felicia Lopez-Walker in a LinkedIn post. “Rest in Power, Mom. Love you until the day after forever.” 

Lopez is survived by her husband Frank; children, LTC Wendell F. Lopez (U.S. Army, Ret.) and Felicia Lopez-Walker; son-in-law, Blair S. Walker; grandchildren, Blair R. Walker and Bria Walker; and an extended family of siblings, relatives and community members whose lives she touched. 

Lopez’s funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Feb. 20 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church (10900 SW 24th Ave., Gainesville) followed by a repass at the Archer Community Center (16671 SW 137th Ave., Archer).