Peggy Williamson Jeanes

Peggy Williamson Jeanes, of Jackson, passed away at her home on Dec. 3, 2023. She was born in Lawrence County on Feb. 7, 1942, to Hollis P. and Helen (Newsom) Williamson.

Peggy studied at public schools in Monticello, where in her senior year she was elected student body president (the first female to be so elected) and was named Miss Monticello High. After graduation, she studied at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., while she also worked at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In November of 1963, her photo was featured on the cover of Red Book Magazine. Most of her long professional career was in editing and writing at companies which included Godwin Advertising Agency in Jackson; Harper & Row Publishers (now Harper-Collins) in New York City, where she reached the position of managing editor of the Trade Division; Entergy Corporation, in both Jackson and New Orleans, La., where she edited and wrote internal publications until her early retirement in 1999. In 1999, she became the founding editor of the online publication, Mississippi History Now, for the Mississippi Historical Society. She retired as its editor emerita in 2013 at the age of 71.

In retirement, she became an even more avid reader. After having given up many years of volunteerism, she enjoyed gardening, entertaining her many friends, and playing bridge. Most of her personal attention went to her two beloved cats.

She is survived by her half brother Hollis Price Williamson Jr. and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Virginia Graham, Linda Wallace, and Kathleen Petty.

A memorial service will be held at some future date.