Tommie Harmon

Tommie Lou Mudgett Harmon who passed away on January 24, 2021, might be described in two seemingly opposite words: Friendly and fierce. Standing at 4’11”, Tommie was never shy. She could carry on a conversation with anyone-and often did. She especially enjoyed sharing stories about her many trips around the world with her husband of 68 years, Glenn Harmon, who died in 2014. They didn’t just visit Europe, Asia, Mexico, Australia, Africa, Alaska, Hawaii, and the breadth of the U.S., they made lifelong friends along the way.

One of Tommie’s most admirable qualities was her interest in different cultures and appreciation for the diversity of people. Anita Chisholm of Oklahoma City, one of Tommie’s best friends, recalls how Tommie practiced her Christianity by seeing all people through the deep love in her heart. She had a desire to let others know her special calls were to the Lord and held no condemnation toward anyone. According to Anita, forgiveness and love exemplified Tommie.

Tommie’s love of people was also reflected in her art. While a proficient seamstress and writer, she was most known as an accomplished artist specializing in portraits of people from all walks of life and a variety of cultures. Tommie’s niece, Dee Dee Fowler Creighton and her husband, Jim Creighton, of Denver, CO, compiled a book of Tommie’s artwork that also included flowers, still life, and landscapes.

As friendly as Tommie was, she was also fierce. Fiercely loyal to her Christian faith, she was honored as being the longest living member at First Baptist Church on Maine Street where she attended services for over 65 years, was active in Sunday School class, and loved to serve Thanksgiving dinners. The church helped see Tommie through the toughest time in her life, losing her beloved son Jerry, who passed away in 1989.

Tommie was fierce about staying healthy. She took pride that Glenn was a championship tennis player into his eighties. Her niece, Susan Fowler of San Diego, recounts joining an aerobics class when Tommie was in her late eighties and then walking the “mall” where Tommie and Glenn knew all the shopkeepers, of course.

Tommie was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 19, 1925 to Dewey Charles Mudgett and Frieda Avalena Carter. But after the family moved to Enid in 1931, Tommie was an Oklahoman through and through. She attended elementary school at Roosevelt and Garfield, graduating from Enid High School, in 1943. Ahead of her time, Tommie was a professional woman who worked in diverse occupations at the telephone company, local law and insurance firms, the Enid Chamber of Commerce, and Lerner’s Clothing store. She held positions in the Enid Public School system and Longfellow Junior High before ending her working career with retirement at 70.

Tommie’s memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 6, 2021, at the First Baptist Church, 401 W. Maine. Family members, including Tommie’s younger sister, acclaimed pianist, Patti McCoy, are coming together from Oregon, California, Colorado, New York, and Texas. The family hopes Tommie’s Oklahoma friends will join them for an upbeat, positive celebration of her friendly and fierce life.