Betty Ann McKinney Couch

Betty Ann McKinney Couch, 80, of North Little Rock passed away Monday, October 27, 2014. She was born on January 23, 1934, in Marvell, Arkansas. She was a 1952 graduate of Little Rock (Central) High School. At age 19, she went to work for Justin Matthews Sr. as his executive secretary. After his death, she continued to work for Justin Matthews Jr. and Justin Matthews III. She retired in 1985, and moved to Bagdad, Florida, where she enjoyed sailing with her Captain, Phil Yates. She was an avid gardener, excellent cook, and pet lover. She was the best mother in the world, and truly loved her friends and family. Betty is survived by daughter, Beverly (Greg) Birdsong; grandchildren, Danielle Birdsong Shelby (Race); great-grandchildren, Cooper and Eva; nieces and nephews, Pat Schmidt, Carol Lewis, Dudley "Mickey" Bumpass, Peter Bumpass and Katherine Sanner; stepdaughters, Gwynn VanValkenburg (Derrick), Michelle Watts (Steve) and Kamela Heuman (Bill); step granddaughter, Madalyn VanValkenburg. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Benjamin and Ida Fox McKinney, and her partner of 30 years, Phil Yates. Memorials may be made to: Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601, 1-800-272-3900; Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, Calif. 90266, 1-877-272-6226; or Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72210, 501-227-6166. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.