Dana Sue Denney Couch was born on August 31, 1923, in Greer County, Oklahoma and passed away peacefully at home in Baytown, Texas at age 98, surrounded by family.
She was the daughter of Clarence Lewis Denney and Stella Lorena McDaniel Denney. She grew up in Italy, Texas and met Leslie Couch, who was a good friend of her older brother, J.C. Denney. After graduating from high school in 1941, Leslie and Dana married.
Before and after World War II, she worked for the Western Union Telegraph in Los Angeles and Houston. In 1953, Dana and Leslie and their 3 children moved to Baytown. Dana attended Lee College and graduated in 1956. She was designated as a top scholar.
She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston in 1958 and earned a Master of Education in 1967. By this time, she had four children!
She taught elementary school in Baytown at Stephen F. Austin, Alamo and Bowie. She was a counselor at Cedar Bayou Junior School for 15 years before her retirement in 1985, after 26 years with Goose Creek School District.
Dana had many interests and was a longtime member and officer in the Plumwood Eva Maude Garden Club. She enjoyed participating in the yearly caladium sale and especially loved roses and hydrangeas. She was an avid reader and frequently read several books a week. Dana hosted family celebrations and her home was the center of family life. She read the paper cover to cover every day until a few days before she passed. She hosted Christmas Eve gatherings in her home well into her 90’s. There were decorations for every holiday. She was a fierce Scrabble competitor and enjoyed other games. Leslie and Dana attended every recital, sports activity, and concert in which their children participated. They loved to square dance and traveled extensively after they retired.
Dana has been a member of First Christian Church in Baytown since 1953.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Leslie Milton Couch and daughter in law, Rae Couch, her brothers J.C. Denney and Larry Dial, and by Leslie Couch, her beloved husband of 54 years, who was her first and only love.
She is survived by her children Cindy Couch, Dr. Ronald Couch (Linda), and Tim Couch (fiancé, Mia). She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Eric Couch (Renee), Wendy McMullen (Kenneth), Adam Couch, Shawn Couch, Dr. Cory Couch (Ashley), Kirby Couch, Dylan Couch; great-grandchildren, Leslie and Leah Couch, McKenzie and Kenny McMullen, Brooks and Avery Couch, Finley Couch. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Elaine Couch and many nieces and nephews.
Dana and family appreciated the loving care that she received from Carol Clary, Gloristen Sweazie, Margarita Susauta, Dahlia Elliot, Linda Ferguson, and Clara Galvan. She is also survived by special friends Gayle Edwards and Faye Sharp.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26 at Crespo and Jirrels Funeral Home. 6123 Garth Road Baytown, Texas
To be followed by interment at Memory Gardens Cemetery 8624 Garth Rd. Baytown, Tx.
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