Shelba Powell Couch

Shelba Powell Couch of Pickens, SC, professional musician and educator, passed to the bosom of Jesus following an extended illness in the early morning hours Friday, April 10, 2015, surrounded by her three children to whom she had devoted her very being with love only surpassed by her Faith in God. She was a 1964 graduate of Furman University where she studied music education followed by 40 years of musical influence in and out of the classroom. She shared her passion with the arts daily with more than 100,000 students of varying ages throughout Pickens County, SC and Cumberland County, TN. She accompanied her husband, Rev. H.C. Couch, Sr., of Pickens, SC, through 50 years of pastoral ministry?accompanying him in ministering to the members of the churches in Pickens County, SC, and Cumberland County, TN, accompanying him on the piano for more than 15,000 church services?not including additional funeral, wedding, and professional concert performances and teaching countless children's, youth and adult choirs.

Born to Rev. Johnnie Powell and Lois Powell, both deceased residents of Easley, South Carolina, her love for music began and was encouraged at an early age by her parents. Her prodigious progress turned her into a pianist for revivals, services, and tent meetings which still in elementary school joined in voice by her surviving sisters Mildred P. Murrell, of Easley, and Joyce P. Martin, of Auburn, Alabama. An avid reader, she passed her passion for the arts and education to her three surviving children: H. Cleve Couch, Jr. (Ashley), of Easley, Christie Marie Couch and Crystal Couch Pitrois of Greenville. They in turn, passed on the passion for the fine arts and commitment to education to her five surviving grandsons: Zachary C. Couch, L. Marc Pitrois, Ethan E. Couch, Christian W. Couch, and Julilen J. Pitrois.

Friends of Mrs. Couch and her family are invited to attend her Celebration of Life Service, Sunday, April 12, 2015, at 3:00 PM in the Chapel of Robinson Funeral Home, Powdersville Road, with burial to follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:45 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Furman University Music Department, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville, SC 29613.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Robinson Funeral Home, Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.