Michie, TN: Family mourns, tells of turmoil Slain woman's mom says she was trying to escape abuse

BY TAJUANA CHESHIER
TCHESHIER@JACKSONSUN.COM
— Tajuana Cheshier, 425-9643
MICHIE — Joanna Pegg's 6-year-old daughter told authorities that her mother's last words before dying from her gunshot wounds were "I love you."

Pegg's mother, Mary Jo Sheffield, said her granddaughter saw her father, Preston Pegg, shoot her mother on Friday.

"She's having a hard time and is going to need some counseling," Sheffield said on Saturday afternoon.

Sheffield said the couple's three children are staying with her following Friday's shooting in southern McNairy County.

Sheriff Ricky Roten said that Preston Pegg, 37, was facing child molestation charges and was out on bond when he shot and killed his wife, Joanna Pegg.

"I don't know why they let him out of jail," Sheffield said. "The kids and Joanna were scared of him."

Investigators with the McNairy County Sheriff's Department, the Alcorn County Sheriff's Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are jointly handling the case.

No further details about the case were released on Saturday.

Officials said Friday that Pegg, 37, of Michie, is being charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Joanna, also 37.

The shooting occurred when Pegg shot his wife multiple times in front of the couple's 6-year-old daughter at a residence in Michie, police have said.

He then put his wife's body in the back of his truck and drove out of the state, officials said.

Pegg is being held in Alcorn County, Miss.

The Peggs had three children — ages 17, 14, and 6, according to relatives.

Sheffield said that her daughter's history with her husband was full of turmoil and that the couple no longer lived together.

"She was trying to buy a home, but she didn't have any credit," Sheffield said. "She had found a bank that was willing to give her a loan, but she needed Preston to sign some papers saying that he wouldn't try to claim the property. He told her he would sign the papers, if she brought their youngest with her."

Sheffield said an argument began that ended with her daughter's death.

The Peggs had trouble in their marriage and struggled financially, Sheffield said.

"She and the kids were terrified of him," Sheffield said. "Just when I thought I had her away from him, he would always find a way to pull her back."

Sheffield said her daughter had dated Pegg since high school. She became pregnant with their first child when she was 18 years old.

"They didn't get married right away," Sheffield said. "She married someone else, but they drifted and then she married Preston."

Sheffield said that the family has called law enforcement on Pegg numerous times.

Pegg's arrest record with the McNairy County Sheriff's Department was unavailable on Saturday.

Joanna Pegg worked as a manager at the Dollar General for the past several years, her mother said.

On Saturday, a memorial wreath with white roses and a black ribbon hung at the front entrances of two Dollar General stores in the area.

Darlene McEuen, of Michie, shopped at the store on Saturday afternoon.

"It's a shock to think something like this has happened," McEuen said. "You'd think that law enforcement would do more to help someone before it gets bad."

Sheffield said the family plans to begin making funeral arrangements today.

And as she prepares to bury her only daughter, she is trying to remain strong for her grandchildren and honor her daughter's memory.

"All she ever wanted to do was take care of her kids," Sheffield said. "It's all just so rough."