Leslee Collum Harding, 64, of Spanish Fork, Utah, passed away at her home on May 3, 2026. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Her presence will be deeply missed.
Leslee is survived by her husband, Rick Harding; her son Jacob Palmer of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, his wife Tara; Leslee’s grandson Nova Palmer; her step-daughter Chantel Brown, Leslee’s granddaughters Jezebel, Azariah, and Zipporah; Leslee’s step-daughter Jennifer Campbell, Leslee’s grandchildren Arion and Adelaine; Leslee’s older sister Lady Ihrig Of Boaz, Kentucky, her 6 children and 16 grandchildren; Leslee’s younger sister Len Mahan of Albertville, Alabama, her son and grandson; and aunts, cousins as well as step- siblings and other relatives.
Leslee was preceded in death by her beloved mother Nancy Hughes, her father Brooks Collum, her step-father Eugene Bailey, her grandparents and other close relatives.
Born in Temple, Texas, on February 8, 1962, to Brooks Collum and Nancy Hughes; Leslee grew up in Texas and Mississippi where her father, Brooks Collum, served as pastor for Methodist congregations. Her mother, Nancy Hughes, worked as a store manager, a teacher’s assistant, a school administration worker, an electrical draftsman, and a professional freelance artist. Leslee’s step-father, Gene Bailey, worked as an accountant and computer supervisor. Her parents instilled in her a love for music, education, and the Lord.
As a child she performed musical numbers with her two sisters, Lady and Len; forming a singing group, “The Three L’s.” Most of their performances were for religious services or venues for their father’s ministry.
Leslee played the saxophone in the Meridian, Mississippi High School Marching and Concert Band. She graduated from Merdian, MS High School with honors, then attended Brigham Young University; thereafter, the University of Mississippi at Oxford, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Upon graduation she went to work for one of the big 8 accounting firms of the USA in Atlanta, Georgia. (There were very few women CPA’s at that time; especially working at one of the “Big Eight” accounting firms in our country.)
Leslee’s vast employment history is filled with accolades and successes. Opening her own accounting business, a photography studio “Flora and Fauna,” as well as other ventures; Leslee’s professional pursuits were either in the field of accounting and management, or creative artistic endeavors. She created beautiful mixed-media family tree mirror artworks, which took countless hours to produce. She loved to decorate her home, cook, and entertain; as well as gather with her friends and family for special occasions.
Leslee’s love of travel led her to Europe as well as many other places that intrigued her. She lived in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Utah.
Despite dealing with numerous health issues, including trigeminal neuralgia and thyroid cancer, Leslee still kept her pursuits and artistic dreams alive.
During Leslee’s first marriage, she and her husband had their son, Jacob Palmer. Leslee always described her son as “the best thing that I ever did.” She was thrilled when her grandson Nova was born and cherished any time she spent with him in video chats or in person; singing songs with him and marveling at his bright vocabulary, his excellent drawings, as well as his love of fish.
Leslee reveled in the hours she spent with her three granddaughters Jezebel, Azariah, and Zipporah. They called her “Noni,” and spent playtime with dolls and playing “dress-up.” Leslee also enjoyed family gatherings with her grandchildren Arion and Adeline; delighting in all that they shared together.
Over the course of her life she had many pets. Her dogs helped her deal with the pain of her health issues. She especially loved to share stories of Gigi and loved to talk with her tiny dog in a sing-song voice and laugh at Gigi’s antics.
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Leslee
attended the temple and church meetings with her beloved eternal companion, her husband, Rick Harding. She loved learning about the Savior and his gospel, and bearing her testimony whenever she could. Her infectious laughter and loving spirit brightened the lives of all who knew her.
A Memorial Service in honor of Leslee Harding will be held on May 30, 2026, at 1:00 pm (MST). This service will be a loving celebration of Leslee’s life. The service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 505 East 900 North, Spanish Fork, Utah.
If anyone prefers to donate, in lieu of flowers, the family requests the donations be made to The Facial Pain Research Foundation (FPRF) and/or The American Thyroid Association® (ATA).
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