Christine Argo Celebrates 100th Birthday

HUNTINGDON (November 12) — On Sunday, November 12, 2023, Christine Argo celebrated her 100” birthday at Harmony Hill Assisted Living!

McKenzie Mayor Ryan Griffin addressed the guests which included family, longtime friends, and Harmony Hill friends, as he congratulated her on behalf of the City of McKenzie. Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler read a proclamation that concluded with the following: “WHEREAS, Ms. Christine is a truly remarkable Carroll Countian, with a life of achievement and commitment to family and community, who to this day remains a source of strength for her family and a source of joy for friends and fellow residents, and it is fitting that we should specially recognize such citizens and their lives, especially on the important milestone, her 100th birthday.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joseph G. Butler, Mayor of Carroll County, do hereby proclaim today, November 12, 2023, ‘Christine Argo Day’ in Carroll County, to celebrate her life and her 100”* birthday, and I encourage all family, friends, fellow residents, and our community to celebrate this important person and day, and join me in wishing Ms. Christine continued health and happiness in her life.”

At last count, Christine had “Happy Birthday” sung to her five times with the last one being surrounded by the Harmony Hill staff and resident friends during supper and as she successfully blew out her candles. For a party supposedly lasting from 2-4 p.m., it really started at noon and ended around 7 p.m.! Along with the nearly 100 attendees, nurse Brittany Webb of Harmony Hill upon hearing of Christine’s fondness of goats, surprised her with a pet goat to join in the fun!

Dale Cooper and Steve Bomar entertained the guests with some of Christine’s favorite music and upon a closer look; one could see Christine patting her foot in time with the music and even a little dancing. The guests enjoyed ice cream, birthday cupcakes, cookies, mints and mixed nuts as they strolled through the dining and living rooms decorated in Christine’s favorite colors including red and pink balloons, banners, a picture board revealing Christine’s family and friends and an additional dental picture with Dr. Norval Headden and an unknown patient. Christine’s last most recent employer, Dr. James Padgett and his dental hygienist, Vicki Stephens, were recognized as special guests.

Little did Virginia Christine Robinson know as she grew up on the farm of Vada and Cecil Robinson at Cedar Grove, Carroll County, Tennessee, or could ever imagine that 1923 and 2023 would touch in her life. In 1923, Calvin Coolidge was President, the price of a US Postage stamp was S.02, the Disney Company was founded, the Hollywood Sign was erected, Clarence Birdseye invented frozen food for consumers, the first issue of TIME Magazine was printed, and the biggest hit song was, “Yes! We Have No Bananas.” Refrigerators were taking the place of iceboxes, more Americans lived in cities as opposed to the farms and villages, Edwin Hubble proved that there were other galaxies outside of our own, the Model T was the most popular car, and Babe Ruth hit three home runs with the New York Yankees winning the World Series against the New York Giants. Famous actors Charlton Heston, James Arnez, Rhonda Fleming and television personality Bob Barker were among those born in 1923. Two-thirds of Americans had electricity, although it would be several years before Christine enjoyed that luxury.

Even as a young girl, Christine could outwit most of her family and peers and did so often. She attended Trezevant and Atwood schools with math being her favorite subject. Upon her graduation in 1942, she met David Argo. With the start of World War II, he would soon be deployed to India with the United States Air Force and Christine would not see him again for three years. During the war, Christine taught school at Hilltop School and worked at the Milan Arsenal until David returned and they were married in Corinth, Mississippi on October 27, 1945. She and David took business classes at Bethel College where he later became head of the Bethel Physical Plant for nearly 40 years. Christine became a dental technician for Dr. Norvelle Headden, worked for Ed Perkins and then returned as a dental technician for Dr. James Padgett until her retirement at age 70. She continued to work when called throughout the remainder of HER 70’s. They unofficially “adopted” all their nieces and nephews: Dorothy, Barbara Jean, Nancy Jo, Joyce, Jane, Brenda, Joan, Charles, Bobby, Dwain and Lew and even continued through great, great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews. Among Christine’s favorite things are: family, cooking, eating at Red Lobster and sipping on a Dairy Queen strawberry milkshake, eating country ham and grits, playing cards, Bingo, basketball, listening to gospel and big band music, shopping for antiques, reading novels by Danielle Steele and other mystery novels and the autumn season (as this author surmised, it is the time when she married the love of her life that lasted 52 years). As previously stated, Christine has a fondness for goats, especially for the one that occasionally wandered over purposely to go inside her house and sit in her lap. David and Christine eventually settled on two dachshunds as their favorite pets. Christine says she is not particularly fond of cats, but whenever she was on one of her trips, she would always have one of the family feed the neighbor’s cat. She loved to go on cruises and travel around the United States and Mexico. Once in HER 80’s, she summoned three of her best friends from her high school class, Martha McGregor, Elizabeth Bullington and Virginia Walker and drove them to and from Branson, Missouri, for a week’s vacation imagine what interesting stories were told on that trip! Christine has always enjoyed people. She has volunteered at Bethel University, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church (of which she is a member), the VFW and American Legion. She also served as a hostess for the LST ship tours with her good friend, Bailey Moore Wrinkle, the only Tennessean to be a part of the LST 325 Crew that brought the WWII ship back to the United States in 2001. All that are acquainted with Christine, will definitely agree with Mayor Butler, she is a truly remarkable woman. And, as the author of this short biography knows all too well-if she directs you to do something, I would suggest you “hop to it” with a smile! As I read somewhere, at 100 years young, the centenarian is really 18 years old with 82 years worth of experience! When asked the secret of being able to celebrate your 100” birthday, she just laughed, and said, “It is a mystery to me!” HAPPY 100’ BIRTHDAY, CHRISTINE ARGO!