Mary Lena Blanchard

Published 5:22 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at South Pleasant Hill Baptist Church for Mrs. Mary Lena Hill Blanchard, 91, who died Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, at her residence.

Rev. Victor Hill officiated with interment following in the church cemetery. 

Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Mary Lena Blanchard was born to the late Jessie Mae Wilks and Lester Hill in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi. 

She started her early education at White Sand School, completing eighth grade and later receiving her General Education Development Certification (G.E.D.).

She also completed Culinary Training Courses.

Mrs. Blanchard joined Green Grove Baptist Church at an early age where she served on the Usher Board, Pastor’s Aid Ministries, and Dining Committee until marriage.

She married the late Deacon Adam Blanchard in 1988. To this union, two families were joined totaling 14 children. 

After marriage, she united with South Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where served in several capacities including Deaconess Ministries, Mission Teacher and Cemetery Ministries.

She worked in private homes and later began a career at Sophia Sutton Ministries, which was renamed Sophia Sutton Head Start; here is where she expanded her passion for cooking. 

She furthered her love for cooking at Jefferson Davis Extended Care Facility until retiring at the age of 85. 

Mrs. Blanchard was preceded in death by her step-father, Gerley Armstrong; brother, Willie Glenn Pace; one son, Adam Blanchard Jr.; three daughters, Barbara Hill, Deloris Cooper and Idell Blanchard; four sons-in-law, M. L. Williams, Carl Ray Longino, Sime Parkman and John Love; one granddaughter, Charlene Blanchard; one great-granddaughter, Chaniquel Hathorn; and one nephew, Ray Pace.

She is survived by one sister, Gwendolyn Ross; one brother, Robert Earl (Lily) Oatis; four sons, Victor (Joyce) Hill; Christopher Hill; Charles Blanchard and Levell (Lisa) Blanchard; eight daughters, Annie Sue Williams, Linda Hill, Sandra (Arthur) Brown, Lisa Longino, Angela (Willie) Williams-Barnes, Irene Parkman, Eva Lois Love and Patricia Blanchard; special son, Kenny Myers and many other relatives and friends