Helen Couch

Helen, was born on February 2, 1936 in Pontotoc Mississippi to Louis & Lois Mc Glaun. Helen, her mother and brother Richard, moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

She was enrolled in Booker T. Washington High School where she graduated. After graduation, she was eager to find employment, but couldn’t for fill her dreams because she had to help around the house. Helen confessed her hope in Christ in 1950 at Salem Garfield Baptist Church in Memphis TN. Helen if you asked her, she often talked about how she had to defend her little brother, Richard, but you would never know the difference because he was just as brave as she was. As a child she had to go to the fields to pick cotton just like everyone else in the household had to. She spoke on how they would catch the bus to the cotton fields. Helens couldn’t or wouldn’t and didn’t like picking cotton, so she was the water girl.

She often talked about how she and her mother walked across a trail tussle in Memphis, her mother always threw something into the water below just to peak their curiosity.  She said that her and her mother went over to a man’s house she put her purse on the floor, the man told her to put her purse up above her waist and she will always have money. And to this day she (says) that she has not been broke since. She had ambitions to become a nurse but later finding herself curious, she left Tennessee headed for Michigan.

In 1958, she moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where she began her new life. She became a founding member of Mt. Zion M.B. Church where she raised her children, and being the 1st clerk of the church, she served in many capacities until her failing health her dedication to her walk with Christ was her faith. She began working at a Department Store called “Beverly’s”, North Star Bus Lines, Couch T.V. & Repair shop and finally to Westinghouse Electric.  Can any of you imagine being able to RETIRE, well she did it, she retired from, Westinghouse Electric in 1996? So many of you that are here, can enjoy your retirement. She still technically retires. She got bored and went to work at Walmart for 2 years. Then she said enough of that working thing, she really retired after that.

Helen lived a crazy fulfilled life she never had a dull moment in her life (or so it seems), she has always worked for everything that she has. To hear her speak on a special Cousin (Paul) whom her mother raised, she really loved him, every time we went to Memphis, we had to stop by Paul’s house.  Helen’s life has been filled with active services, spiritual worship and a genuine concern for her family. Ask Helen how is her garden and she will keep you informed for a good while, then you must go out to the garden walk around to see what she has grown this year. She was always doing the most for her children. Helen opened her home to many. Joseph Couch and Jerry Couch, they came at an early age, and until they both graduated from High School. She loved everybody.  

She was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Lois McGlaun, her brother, Richard McGlaun, one sister, Virginia Page and son Treazie D. Smith.

Helen is survived by her children, Pamela Smith, Ericka (Ernest) Smith, Michael (Nina) Couch and Helen “Scoop” Green, of Grand Rapids Mi. Her sister Geneva Usher of Memphis, TN., 11 grandchildren, Jamar, Rakeea, Yvette, Treazie Pue Jr, Theresa, Michael Derrick (Liz) Holt, Maurice Durand (Kashia) Holt of Maryland, Michael (Jeanne) Couch of Detroit, Mi.  Erick (Quanika) Couch, Shalisha Green, Ahmond Green, of Grand Rapids,, 20 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild Xion from Grand Rapids, Special Cousin, Paul Holly Special Friend Tom Jager, and a host of nieces, nephew’s aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.