On Saturday, July 14, Rebecca "Becky" Nan Davis Stegmann, 61, passed away. Or as Becky would say, “she moved to a better neighborhood.” Becky suffered from lung disease for several months and was preparing for a lung transplant at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital.
Becky was born in Maryville, TN, on April 10, 1957 to educators Lula and Bob Davis. Becky was a sunny, compassionate little girl, the middle child of three. She and her siblings shared and maintained a lifelong bond. Becky attended Ft. Craig Elementary School and Maryville Junior High School. She graduated from Maryville High School and was a member of the flag corps, band and basketball team. She was also very active with Maryville First Baptist Church where she was baptized.
Becky received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Tennessee Tech University.
After graduation, Becky moved to Georgia and taught 2nd and 4th grades in Clayton County. During this time she was named Teacher of the Year. Becky earned a master's degree from West Georgia and her teaching career continued to flourish. While in Clayton County, she began a long-time friendship with a group of fellow teachers, The Nauti Girls. The Nauti Girls vacationed everywhere together.
On May 26, 2001, Becky married the love of her life, Jeff Stegmann. Becky met Jeff when she needed someone to build cages for the snakes, iguanas, and tarantulas she incorporated into her unorthodox teaching methods. Jeff was the master craftsman who took the job, and got the girl. This was the second marriage for Becky and Jeff, and a true love story.
Becky moved with Jeff to Cherokee County where she taught special needs children and worked tirelessly with children who had learning disabilities and behavioral disorders. Her positive attitude was instrumental in helping those children. She earned her specialist in education degree from West Georgia, and completed 35 years as a teacher this past school year.
Becky was a consummate teacher, but her greatest joy was being mother to her daughter, Lindsay. Jeff and Lindsay quickly developed a special father-daughter relationship that flourished over the past 17 years.
After retiring, Becky and Jeff traveled in their motor home to numerous destinations east of the Mississippi River. They planned to venture west this fall.
Becky was a hilarious individual with an infectious sense of adventure and an incredible gusto for life. She surrounded her world with the beauty of nature and raised more than 40 varieties of roses. Her magical gardens were a striking oasis in the Atlanta suburbs.
Becky lived a full, beautiful, extraordinary life and her time on this earth was much too short. She will be terribly missed.
Becky is survived by her husband, Jeff, and daughter, Lindsay. She leaves behind her siblings Sharon and Bobby, sisters-in-law Pandy and Linda, brothers-in-law Tom and Joe, beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles , cousins, dear friends, and of course her partners in crime, the Nauti Girls.
A private memorial service and celebration of life will be held in Becky's honor at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Lung Association or a charity of your choice. Planting a flower or tree in her name would please her to no end. Finally, as a tribute to Becky's wonderful and unique legacy, please go out of your way to practice random acts of kindness.
The family would like to thank everyone for their tremendous outpouring of love and support during this tough time.
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