Ruth Lazelle Couch

Dr. Ruth Lazelle Couch, daughter of Ben D. and Zettie Couch, was born September 23, 1936 in Magnolia, Arkansas; she passed from this life July 26, 2014 in Beebe, Arkansas. Her parents preceded her in death. Ruth was a devoted Christian, who accepted Christ during an Easter Service at First Baptist Church located in Magnolia in 1953. She was baptized shortly thereafter. It has been said that a dog is a man's best friend. Ruth is survived by her best friend, Missy; two cousins, Darlene Maddy and Jacinta Denton. Dr. Couch received her baccalaureate degree at Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia and became a teacher, then received her masters degree at Henderson State University, and her Doctorate at Oklahoma State University. She began working with Arkansas State University-Beebe in 1971 as an English Teacher; she later became Division Chair, and served as the first female Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the university for nine years. She was also the first person to become a full professor at ASU-Beebe. In addition to sponsoring students on a personal financial basis, she endowed a scholarship at ASU-Beebe to help students pursue a college degree. Ruth furnished a faculty workroom in the library and purchased campus chimes that are located in the Student Center. They continue to ring on the hour daily. Dr. Couch was a member of the editorial board for a professional journal called The Community College Enterprise. She joined Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honor society for women educators, in 1976 and held several Delta Kappa Gamma offices and was chairwoman of the society's state leadership committee. She was active in the Business and Professional Women's Association, in which she has held a variety of offices - including state president - and the Southwest Regional Conference on the Teaching of English, in which she held a variety of offices. From 1982 to 2004, she served on the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as a consultant evaluator. She visited about 30 higher education institutions to assist with evaluations for accreditation. After 32 years at ASU-Beebe, she retired and took a part-time job as Director of the Beebe Chamber of Commerce where she worked tirelessly for the next 10 years to encourage all citizens to work together for the best interest and development of Beebe. In her spare time, she was a prolific writer producing at least one novel and two books of poetry. She also helped collect oral histories of ASU-Beebe and wrote historical booklets about changes in some communities that she found of particular interest. Her most resent writings were The Academic Americana Heritage of the Antioch and Floyd Schools, and The Noble Heritage of Harvey C. Couch School in Calhoun, Arkansas. Because she cared about people and wanted to help them, she was a workaholic whether she was working for her church, her communities, or her university. Although she had no immediate family living nearby, she had a large family of friends who loved her dearly because she was a true friend with a positive outlook on life. She was an intelligent, successful, witty person with a great sense of humor who, even at the end of her life, encouraged others to be positive and keep the faith. Her many friends will miss her wit, charm, and positive encouragement. Ruth expressed a profound gratitude for all who helped her so generously in her times of need. Memorials may be made to Arkansas State University-Beebe Development Council, P.O. Box 1000, Beebe, Ark. 72012 or to your local church. There will be a Memorial Service and celebration of her life at 10 a.m. Wednesday July 30, 2014 at Beebe First Baptist Church. Arrangements by Westbrook, a Smith Family Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares.com.