Peggy Lamanna

Mrs. Peggy Lou Stover Lamanna, age 90, of Concord, Calif., passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 18, 2025.
Peggy was born in Elbridge in Obion County on March 8, 1935, to Powell and Cammie Call Stover of Elbridge. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother and sister-in-law, Billy Matt and Jackie Akin Stover of Dyer. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Joseph A. Lamanna of Concord; son, Joseph P. Lamanna of Elbridge; nieces, Kalista Stover Carroll (Jon) of Dyer and Terrie Stover Joyner of Trenton; great-nieces, Julie Joyner Hager (Ben) of Trenton and Kellie Joyner Ashburn (Mack) of Union City; and four great-great-nieces and nephews, to whom she lovingly referred to herself as “Aunt Aunt Peggy.”
Peggy graduated from Cloverdale School near Elbridge and went on to attend the University of Tennessee-Martin Branch before completing her degree in dietetics at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She began her career as a therapeutic dietitian at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Ill. After three years, Peggy and a fellow dietitian decided to pursue new opportunities in California, where they accepted positions at San Mateo Hospital.
During the move west, Peggy and her friend visited the friend’s sister in Concord, who happened to be hosting a gathering for coworkers. At that gathering, Peggy met her future husband, Joseph Lamanna. One year later, she brought Joe home to Tennessee to meet her family, and they were married in a private ceremony at her family’s church, New Chapel Methodist Church in Elbridge. This charming little church, with its beautiful stained-glass windows, was relocated in 2013 to Discovery Park of America in Union City, thus preserving its beauty for future generations.
Upon returning to Concord, where Joe worked for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Peggy discovered that her degree qualified her to earn a home economics teaching credential by completing a CA state government course. After doing so, she taught for three years, earned tenure and later chose to focus on raising their son. She continued to substitute teach and later earned her real estate license, working as an agent until retirement.
Peggy was very creative and had many interests and talents. She loved dancing and was a longtime member of ballroom and line dancing clubs. Always passionate about cooking, she created authentic homemade Italian dishes, including spaghetti sauces, ravioli, gnocchi and cavatelli pastas. A skilled seamstress, she sewed clothing, draperies and crafts for her home and for others. Peggy also enjoyed leaded-glass projects, making scented soaps, playing the piano, caning chairs by hand, mending stoneware and pottery, and painting. Her artwork is admired by many, especially her paintings of Reelfoot Lake. Above all, she found joy in making and giving thoughtful gifts to her family and friends.
Peggy cherished her Tennessee roots and held a deep affection for her childhood home and the many people who remained dear to her there. Her ashes will be laid to rest at Elbridge Cemetery. No services have been scheduled at this time.

The Messenger