Jeane Lois Alderson Argo

Jeane was born February 16, 1930, to Margaret and Jeff Alderson in Columbia, Tennessee. Their fourth and youngest daughter, she was born at home during a heavy snowstorm that prevented the doctor’s car from starting, forcing him to use his horse for transportation. Jeane arrived before he did. She always said this auspicious beginning contributed to her long and healthy life.

Jeane graduated from Columbia High School where she was elected Secretary of the Student Body and chosen “Sweetheart of CHS.” She graduated from Gulf Park College in Gulfport, Mississippi, where she was a member of the Sigma Psi Sorority, the May Queen Court, and the water ballet team. Her love of swimming lasted throughout her life as she taught countless children how to swim.

After college, Jeane was employed by IBM in Nashville, Tennessee, and later American Airlines as a flight attendant. It was in Nashville that she met and married the love of her life, Bob Argo, in 1953. Their happy union lasted 63 years until Bob’s death in 2016.

The couple moved to Athens in 1954, where Bob founded Universal Insurers and Jeane established World Wide Travel Service with the late Nancy Scruggs. Jeane enjoyed working at the travel agency for over 35 years. She also served as president of the Junior Assembly and the Heritage Garden Club and was a member of the YWCO Board of Directors.

One of Jeane’s greatest joys was hosting family and friends in her Athens home and at the family beach house on St. Simons Island. Her annual Christmas parties were legendary for their food, music, and fun for all.

Jeane Argo was preceded in death by her husband, the late state Representative Robert “Bob” Eugene Argo, Jr., and her daughter, Margaret “Mimi” Argo-Laney. “Goose,” as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, is survived by two daughters: Amy Cowsert (Bill) and Marty Kemp (Brian), as well as eight beloved grandchildren: Will Cowsert (Katie), Bob Cowsert (Anna), Caty Watson (Dara), Jarrett Kemp, Lucy Kemp, Amy Porter Kemp, Russell Laney, and Jeff Laney. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren: William Cowsert and Robert Cowsert.

Jeane’s daughters Amy and Marty would like to thank St. Mary’s Hospice, as well as longtime family friend Jeanette Watson, for the thoughtful care they provided, as well as Jeane’s loving caregivers: Matilde Noriega, Jennifer Wise, Shirley Maxey, and Catherine Faulconer-Mouat.

Graveside services will be held Sunday, July 24 at 2:00 p.m., at Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens.

For those wishing to honor Jeane’s memory through donations, contributions can be made to Spectrum Autism Group, Inc., P.O. Box 3132, Suwanee, GA 30024 or Campus View Church of Christ, 1360 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30605.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.