NATCHEZ — Services for Leo “Kid” Blanton Jr., 73, of Natchez, who died Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at noon today at Zion Hill No. 1 Baptist Church.

Burial will follow at Mercy Seat Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home in Bude.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Blanton was born Dec. 9, 1935, in Natchez, the son of Leo “Gate” Blanton Sr. and Emma “Nan” Watkins Blanton.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Josephine Blanton; three sons, Rodney Hargrave and wife, Teri, Lee Blanton and wife, Sibyl, and Meco Blanton, all of Detroit; three daughters, Priscilla Brown and husband, Stanley, both of Detroit; Barbara “Tucy” Stewart and Amesha “Shay” Green and husband, Charles, all of Natchez; one brother, Mark Amos Blanton of Natchez; seven sisters, Anna Dent, Mildred Terrell, Addie Knight and husband, Joe, Geneva Squalls and husband, James, Mary B. Phipps, Emma Blanton and Shirley Blanton, all of Natchez; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.