Mildred Elizabeth Couch

Mildred Elizabeth (Newland) Couch

Mildred Elizabeth “Gina” (Newland) Couch, age 92, and resident of Braymer, Missouri, went
into the outstretched hands of her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at
her son’s residence in Cowgill, Missouri.
On August 31, 1929, Gina was born the daughter of Charley Otis Newland and Blanche
Elizabeth (La Duke) Newland, in Le Loup, Kansas. As Charley was part of a road construction
crew, the family moved to several places across the state, and ended up in the Braymer,
Missouri, area in November of 1937. Later, she returned to Kansas with her family,
graduated from Baldwin City High School in 1947, and attended Baker University.
After working for IGA Grocery and Commercial Credit Corporation for several years, she
found herself living in Kansas City, where she met and married Floyd Lee Couch, an airman in
the United States Air Force, on February 26, 1955. The two of them moved to many places
across the nation as well as Lybia, Germany, and Spain, during the course of Floyd’s military
career; and, Gina called it “an exciting life!” Yet, the excitement did not end upon leaving the
military, for they took their family to Springfield, Missouri, where both Gina and Floyd
attended college. Floyd became a minister; and, graduating from Southwest Missouri State
University, Gina became a school teacher for special needs children.
In 1981, Gina and Floyd moved to Texas, where she received a Master’s Degree in Special
Education from Southwest Texas State University of San Marcos, Texas, and taught in Seguin
ISD and Paris ISD, while her husband pastored area churches. Upon their retirement, the two
relocated in Braymer, Missouri, and attended Richmond Assemblies of God Church.
Throughout her years, Gina was an avid reader of the Bible, taught Sunday School, and
always enjoyed puzzles, embroidery, and keeping memories alive with many photo albums!
Gina was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Couch on July 9, 2020. Also preceding her
were her parents; one brother, Leonard Newland, and wife Myrtle Lee; and, sister, Rose
Marie, and her husband Gayle Cook. Survivors include Gina’s three sons, Gregory Couch, and
wife Marcia, of Cowgill, Missouri; Russell Couch, and wife Cathleen, of Rich Hill, Missouri;
and, Timothy Couch, and wife Beverly, of Cooper, Texas. One sister, Charlene Rockhold, of
Ottawa, Kansas; twelve grandchildren, Carolie Schultz, Julia Squier, Tommy Couch, Joey
Couch, Jeff Horn, Jennifer Vaughan, Jessica Stockton, Loree Mendoza, Lindley Couch, Cody
Ford, Jake Couch, and Josh Couch; twenty-six great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild;
and, several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at Carter Funeral Home, Thayer, Missouri, on Tuesday, July 26,
2022, at 3 p.m., followed by a graveside service and internment at New Salem Cemetery, of
Couch, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Branch Cowboy Church and
mailed to P.O. Box 957, Paris, TX 75461. Online contributions may be made at
www.crossbranch.net .
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.