Helen Hightower Couch, 89, of Tampa passed peacefully into the arms our Lord Wednesday April 1, 2015. Born in Birmingham Alabama in 1925, to Jasper and Clara Hightower, raised in Sulphur Springs, and remained in Tampa for her remaining 88 years. She graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1943 and went to work in downtown Tampa for Bausch and Lomb Optical Company. She started her career as a licensed optician in 1961 and was hired as the first employee at Tampa Eye Clinic in 1962 where she assisted the doctors and patients. In 1974, she became the first woman in Tampa to open an Optical Dispensary known as Couch Optical where she continued to work until retirement. Helen was a pioneer for future women opticians serving on numerous professional and advisory boards. She was a proud recipient of the Optician of the Year Award, presented in 1983 by the Professional Opticians of Florida. A long time member of Belmont Baptist Church and a current member of Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa. She loved RV traveling around the country and spending time with family. She was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband, Jack Couch, longtime caring companion Frank Walter and 6 brothers and sisters.  Survivors include daughter Debra Woods (Larry), David Couch (Lisa), beloved grandsons Jeremy Woods and Clay Couch along with a supportive and caring extended Tampa family, her loving Georgia family and many beloved friends. The family would like to thank the staff at University Village for her many years there, Florida Hospital Tampa, and Lifepath Hospice for the care and attention in her final days.  A visitation will begin at 10:00 am Tuesday April 7th with funeral service to follow at 11 AM at MacDonald Funeral Home 10520 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa. Interment to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to Idlewild Baptist Church/Sulphur Springs project.

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MacDonald Funeral Home
Lowell J MacDonald
Funeral Director & Owner