Services for Edwina Junkin Blanchard, 78, of Natchez, who died Friday, April 6, 2007, will be at 11 a.m. today, at St. Mary Basilica with her pastor the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Visitation will be at St. Mary Basilica this morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mrs. Blanchard was born Dec. 15, 1928, in Natchez, the daughter of Bertha Zurhellen Junkin and William Joseph Junkin. She attended St. Joseph High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Fontbonne College in St. Louis, Mo. She worked for the Mississippi Department of Human Services for over 50 years, serving as director for the Adams County Department before her retirement in 2004. She was a member of St. Mary Basilica parish and the Natchez Garden Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Genevieve B Junkin; and two brothers, William J. Junkin and George M. Junkin.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Eugene R. Blanchard III, of Natchez; her daughter, Bertha J. Blanchard, M.D. of Hattiesburg; her son, Eugene “Rod” Blanchard and wife, Kathy, of Natchez; three grandchildren, Rebekah, Quint, and Patrick Blanchard, all of Natchez; three sisters, Sr. Mary Junkin, D.C. of Evansville, Ind., a twin sister, Sr. Catherine Junkin, D.C. of New Orleans and Marty Junkin Seibert and husband, J.W., of Natchez; a step brother, Joseph Richard Smith and wife, Virginia, of Amarillo, Texas; and many close friends and family members.

Pallbearers will be Quint Blanchard, Patrick Blanchard, Colin Seibert, Duke Edwards, Stephen Edwards, Owen Junkin, John R. Junkin, and Glen Foley. Special Friends and Honorary Pallbearers are Edward Eidt, Pete Westmoreland and members of the Friday Lunch Crowd.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Basilica, Catholic Charities or the Adams County Humane Society. The reception for family and friends after the funeral service will be held at the home of John R. Junkin at 505 North Pearl Street.