Karen Argo

On Monday, August 30, 2021, Janet Karen Gallimore Argo, better known to her friends and family as Karen Argo, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Karen was born in the small town of Denton, NC (southern Davidson County) on June 14, 1951. Karen grew up in Denton and graduated from the local high school. She acquired a great network of friends throughout her school years. She and classmate, Cathy Jackson, stayed in touch all through their adult lives. She has been a great friend and companion to her throughout her life.

After high school Karen attended and graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone. Upon graduation she started her job search for an art teaching position. After sending dozens of applications and resumes all over the state of North Carolina, she was offered employment in Cumberland County. Most of her teaching career was in elementary and middle school which she dearly loved. Karen was very compassionate about teaching art to children. Due to growing up in a small town where everyone knew everybody Karen never met a stranger, even in her new location, thus during her teaching career she acquired dozens of close relationships with coworkers and new acquaintances that stayed in touch with her throughout her life. She touched many people with her outgoing, always happy and contagious personality.

After seven years of teaching at various schools in Hope Mills and Fayetteville her life changed forever! She met the love of her life, Tony Argo. They met in November of 1980 and married in June 1981. She and Tony, as the saying goes, were made for each other. She became an active member of Haymount United Methodist Church and served as Youth Director for twelve years. During which she acquired many, many endearing, compassionate and loving friendships. Her church family and career family have lovingly supported her and Tony throughout her illness with delicious food, cards, flowers and visits.

A Celebration of Karen’s Life will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 12 noon at Haymount United Methodist Church with Dr. John Tyson presiding. The burial will be held at Central United Methodist Church in Denton on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 11 am.

Karen is survived by her husband of forty years, Tony Argo. Karen is also survived by her brother Terry Gallimore and companion, Phyllis Wittschen of Goldsboro and her sister, Lanette Tysinger and husband, John of Denton, NC. In addition to her brother and sister, she is survived by her niece, Sherra Tysinger, of Durham, NC; her nephew, Daniel Tysinger and his wife Kathryn and their two daughters, Zelda and Astrid of Lexington, NC. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Dale Argo, and his daughter, Leanna Woodward and husband, Matthew and their three children, Austin, Avery and Alex Warren all of Kannapolis, NC. Karen is also survived by a new acquaintance and loved one. Caregiver, Sheila Simmons, came into Karen’s and Tony’s life the first week of August. She immediately became a member of the family and lovingly cared for Karen during her illness.

Karen is predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt Gallimore and Tony’s parents, Rev. and Mrs. W. D. Argo, and sister-in-law, Brenda Gallimore.

The family will receive friends prior to the service on Thursday, September 2, from 10:30 am to 11:45 am in the Commons Room at the church.

The best description for our sister are these words by Holley Gerth, “A sister is a friend you get to have your whole life.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Haymount UMC, 1700 Ft. Bragg Road, Fayetteville NC 28303, in memo write Tony and Karen Argo Endowment Fund or to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 126, Denton, NC 27239.