Tommie Lois Harlien was born on August 16, 1935 in the Blue Ridge area of Hamilton County to parents Lois Foy Singleton and W.T. Harlien.
She attended school in Blue Ridge as a young girl before moving to Hamilton, where she was known for her enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Tommie was a team captain for the 1952 Lady Bulldog State Champion basketball team. After graduating high school, she was married to her high school sweetheart, W.O. “Rusty” McCollum on August 16, 1953.
Tommie was employed at the Farmers Home Administration Office, where she worked tirelessly for 40 years serving the rural farmers and ranchers of Hamilton and the surrounding area. Upon her retirement from the FHA in 1992, she continued to work as a self-employed loan packager for the farm and ranch industry well into the 2000s.
Tommie loved sports. She was an avid golfer, a fantastic bridge player, and a die-hard Dallas Mavericks fan. And because Rusty had graduated from TCU, she adopted the Horned Frogs as well.
Family was at the heart of Tommie‘s life. Together she and Rusty built a family rooted in the values of respect, hard work, and love. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family members also benefited from her guidance and generosity. Tommie’s home was a haven for friends, family, and anyone who needed support. Whether it was a homemade meal or a listening ear, she was always there to offer comfort and encouragement. Her legacy is defined by her fiercely competitive spirit and an unwavering sense of duty to her work and family.
She is survived by her daughter, Lori McCollum, of Hamilton; Granddaughter Adrienne Royall-Geske and her husband James, also of Hamilton; Grandson Wesley Royall and wife Lindsay, of Eastland; Great-grandchildren Westin Ellis, Kindle Foust, and Kaydence Royall.
She is preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Rene McCollum, Husband Rusty McCollum, and her parents, W.T. and Foy Harlien.
A visitation will be held to honor Tommie‘s life at Riley Funeral Home, 402 W Main Hamilton, Texas 76531 on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 10:00 am in the Riley Funeral Home Chapel. A private family burial a will be held following the service at Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hamilton Public Library, 201 N Pecan Street, Hamilton, Texas 76531, or Hamilton County Historical Museum, 115 W Henry, Hamilton, Texas 76531.
