PATRICIA A. "TISH" COUCH, 87, lifelong resident of Atlanta, Kansas, passed away Sunday morning, August 22, 2010 at the William Newton Hospital in Winfield.

Born March 18, 1923 on a farm south of Atlanta, Kansas, she was the daughter of Claude R. and Faye (Newton) Jenkins. Tish was raised and educated in Atlanta, graduating from Atlanta High School in 1942.

She was united in marriage to Carl Couch on October 7, 1943. Tish worked as the postal clerk for her husband, the post master, until his retirement when she took over the post master position. She retired after 35 years of service for the postal department. Mr. Couch preceded her in death on March 23, 1989.

Mrs. Couch was very active in the Atlanta community and with the Atlanta Cornerstone Christian Church which she was a member of. She was also a member of the Burden Eastern Star Chapter 128 and the Rebekah Lodge, as well as a cemetery board member, city council member, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was active on the church board and taught Sunday School, was a member of the Lion's Club Auxiliary, and was a past secretary for the Atlanta Labor Day Celebration. Tish was secretary of the Atlanta Alumni Association and was chairman of the Pride Committee. She organized the Well Child Clinic in the 1950's and was PTA President. She also helped organize swimming lessons, the annual Community Christmas Program and the Community Theatre. She was an honorary member of the Atlanta Fire Department, which she provided lots of food and care for the active members. Tish was involved in numerous other activities and clubs, too many to name them all.

Her family includes:
Her son: Dorsey Couch and wife, Stephanie of Atlanta, Kansas;
Her daughters: Katherine Grow of Atlanta, Kansas; Jane Ronk and husband, Dan of Viola, Kansas; and Deborah Byrd and husband, Mike of Winlock, Washington;
Her daughter-in-law: Susan Couch of Atlanta, Kansas;
Her grandchildren: Darren, Rachel, Ronnie, Aaron, Krystal, Carl, Katie, Seth, Daniel, Justin, Bryan and Kristy; and
Her numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild.

In addition to her parents and husband Carl, Tish was preceded in death by her son, Joseph "Joe" Couch, her son-in-law, Roger Grow and her brother, Vaughn Jenkins.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday morning, August 26, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at the Cornerstone Christian Church in Atlanta. Eastern Star Committal honors and interment will follow at the Atlanta Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Wednesday evening from 4 to 8. The family will greet visitors from 5 to 7 P.M.

Memorials have been established in Tish's name for the Atlanta Volunteer Fire Department and for the Atlanta Community Building. Contributions may be made through Miles Funeral Service.