Tommye Ann Olson, 76, of Cross Junction, VA, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was at home surrounded by her family and loyal cats.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Michael Ray Olson; her son, Mark Wesley Olson and his wife, Cynthia Beth (Swick) Olson of Cross Junction, VA and 2 grandchildren, Julian Wesley Olson (Jules) and Daniel Nicholas Olson (Dani).

Tommye was born in 1948 in Harlingen, Texas, the daughter of the late Frank and Dorothy Newton. She had many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. She was a 1966 graduate of Harlingen High School. Tommye attended Texas A & I University – Kingsville where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology. Next, she attended Iowa State University, earning a Master’s Degree in Education specializing in Speech Pathology. After moving to Frostburg, Maryland in 1978 she began her work in education. Early in her career, she worked at The School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney, West Virginia. Later, she went on to work for the Allegany County, Maryland public school system providing Speech Therapy to children for 35 years.

Tommye loved being outdoors. She was a gardener and enjoyed nurturing plants in her greenhouse which was built for her by her husband. She often spent time with her friend and neighbor, the late Mary DeCarlo taking walks, working in their yards, and laughing over daily coffee at one another’s homes. During the summer she sold her herbs and flowers at local farmer’s markets. She grew basil at her friend Judy Stegmaier’s farm in Cumberland, Maryland for local Italian restaurants. Tommye enjoyed cycling and she pedaled across both Iowa and Maryland. She had a fondness for riding and walking on the C & O Canal towpath on summer evenings. In 2002 she rode its length from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington DC with her son, daughter-in-law and several friends.

One of Tommye’s many gifts was her talent as a quiltmaker. After retiring, she dove into her craft and created an array of beautiful quilts. She won numerous blue ribbons at quilt shows throughout the years.

Tommye cared deeply for all people and often spent her free time in service to others. In 2002, she went to Thailand with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for those in need. Additionally, she established Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Alleghenies and dedicated 10 years to the organization. She taught Sunday School at Frostburg United Methodist Church for 20 years and went on to explore other faiths and practices such as Buddhism and Quakerism. She believed in “peace at any price” and in the precious value of all life. Tommye had a lifelong affection for animals and was a member of the Humane Society. She adored and nurtured her pets and always had a cat or dog nearby. Her idealism and beliefs were steadfast and focused on the greater good.

Tommye liked to travel and made regular trips home to Texas to visit her parents, aunties and dear cousins David and Tim Songer. In 1995 she went to Africa to visit David and his family; she said it was one of her greatest adventures. Tommye always traveled with her sidekick, her beloved son Mark. She introduced him to the music of Billy Joel and Rod Stewart on their countless road trips. This will forever be one of his treasured memories of their time together.
Tommye also loved being a grandmother. She hilariously enjoyed drinking coffee with her eldest grandchild during his toddler years and reveled in every visit and sleepover. Their fondest memories are from time spent at the house in Frostburg. Particularly holidays, birthday celebrations, bedtime stories, cats and dogs, and an abundance of toys. She encouraged them to be creative, to get dirty, and to simply be themselves.

During her retirement, Tommye played Jeopardy every night over the telephone with her cherished friend Frann Wynne Wilson. She found immense joy in their daily calls and treasured their loving friendship. They shared a bond that lasted more than 50 years, across more than a thousand miles.

Tommye will always be remembered for her gentle spirit, quirky nature, and the depth of her genuine kindness. She treasured people and was a loyal friend. She maintained a positive outlook on everything in life. Her son emphasized that he will forever remember her notoriously rigid adherence to driving the speed limit, her unwavering pride in never having a cavity until age 60, and her deep love of cake and pie.

Despite spending most of her life in Appalachia, she longed to be back home in Texas.

A graveside service will be held at Cool Spring Natural Cemetery at Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville, Virginia on May 1, 2025, at 2:00 pm.

Friends and family are asked to collectively officiate her service and burial. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.