Gwendolyn A. Couch

Gwendolyn Anita Couch passed away surrounded by her family September 20, 2024. Gwen was born on November 26, 1938 in Memphis, Tennessee. 

As the daughter of a builder, she loved visiting jobsites with her dad, where he taught her about construction detail. Her fascination with construction led to a life-long career as a home designer. 

Her first job was working as a draftsman for the Ottenheimer Company, working on the Cloverdale home development. 

Gwen left her job when the first of her two daughters was born and continued her career working from home. She used her creativity and talent to turn someone’s vision into their dream home. Working with builders as well as individuals, she designed modest homes as well as dream homes in Arkansas’s most prestigious neighborhoods. 

Gwen’s greatest joy was family. She raised two daughters as a hard-working single mother. Always wanting better for her children, she sacrificed and insisted on her girls getting a college education. Her world was transformed upon the birth of her two grandchildren Harrison and Avery. They brought endless happiness into her life. 

As the oldest of six children, she had a fierce love for her brothers and sisters, which extended to her many nephews, who she thought of as sons. Gwen’s home was the gathering place for family and friends, creating so many special memories. 

Preceded in death by her parents Loise Heslep and Esther Heslep, brothers Larry Heslep and Ronnie Heslep, and sister Norma Taylor (Bennie).

Survived by her children Melanie Arnold (David), Kristi Bowman (Ted), grandchildren Harrison Arnold and Avery Arnold, sisters Karen Karps (John) and Cheryl Daugherty, sister-in-law JoAnn Heslep, Nephews Jeff Heslep (Jan), Greg Heslep (Angela), Keith Heslep (Sandra), and Mark Taylor (Myna) and a host of family and friends. 

Services will be held at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock

Thursday, September 26th 

Visitation: 10:30am

Funeral Service: 11:30am

Burial: 1:00pm Pinecrest Cemetery