Age 84, Elkton, Va.
JoAnn Monger Lam, 84, of Elkton, was called Home on the morning of Monday, December 29, 2025, just three days shy of her 85th birthday. Born and raised on the “Backroad,” she was the ninth of the ten children of the late Benjamin and Virgie Wyant Monger.
In addition to her parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses: Gilbert Monger and wife, Magdalena; Beulah Bradley and husband, Charles; Octavie Shifflett and husband, Cecil; Karo Monger and wife, Evangeline; Juanita Morris and husband, Owen; Lois Senger and husband, Norlyn; Harold Monger and Jean Garrison; Odessa Shifflett and husband, Lewis; Bootie Monger; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
JoAnn graduated from Elkton High School in 1959. She excelled in basketball, cheerleading, and theater, earning the Most Athletic and Thespian of the Year awards. She was a lifetime homemaker, organizer extraordinaire, and a two generation Girl Scout Leader. She loved auctions, family gatherings, shoes, jewelry, refinishing furniture, shoes, sewing, thrifting, shoes, and yard sales (and did we mention shoes?) Although vehemently denying it, she was an avid cheater of any card game, earning her the nickname, “Snake Eyes.”
On December 26, 1959, JoAnn married the love of her life, Elmer “Elmo” Lam. They recently celebrated 66 years of marriage, an adventure spanning from Elkton, VA to Clemson, SC to Bakersfield, CA, moving 13 times in one year. Together they cheered on the Clemson Tigers, enjoyed picnics at Big Meadows, family trips to Massanutten and the Outer Banks, and 10 o’clock ice cream with their grandchildren.
In addition to her loving husband, JoAnn is survived by her daughter, Angie Deane and husband, Chuck of Elkton; son, Bo Lam and wife, Cheryl of Shenandoah; daughter, Suzanne Herring and husband, Chris of McGaheysville. JoAnn’s pride and joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Derek Lam and wife, Carly; Brandon Lam and wife, Holly and their children, Peyton, Paisley, and Parker; Nikki Trent and husband, Chris and their sons, Carter, Camden, and Caleb; Adrienne Shifflett and husband, Michael and their sons, Bodie, Emmett, and Sawyer; McKenzie Dean and husband, Isaac and their son, Luke; Austin Herring and wife, Angela and their son, Liam. “Grandma Ralph” and “Papaw’s” favorite pastime was traveling many hours to support their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, never missing a school or sporting event. Along with their immediate family, JoAnn’s memory will be cherished by her surviving nieces and nephews.
Elmo and his family would like to express their gratitude to JoAnn’s devoted caregivers: Holly Lam, Bonnie Hensley, Anita Freeze, McKenzie Dean, and Sentara Hospice.
Friends and family are welcome to visit the Lam home at any time.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, January 2, 2026 at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton.
A Funeral Service will be conducted 10 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the funeral home with Pastor David Vaughan officiating. Burial to follow at Elk Run Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
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