Minnie "Lee" Blanchard

Minnie “Lee” Miller Blanchard passed away on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the age of 93. She was born on February 15, 1932, in Denham Springs, Louisiana, to Wallace and Annie Miller.

Lee attended Southeastern Louisiana University before beginning her career as an accountant for the Department of Education, where her work was characterized by her commitment and service to the community.

Lee was also a passionate volunteer and active member of various organizations. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, a long-standing parishioner of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and contributed significantly through her work with the Woman's Hospital Auxiliary, and she also volunteered at Woman’s Hospital for over 15 years – where she won The Auxilian of the Year Award in 2005.

She found joy in cooking, cake decorating, gardening, stitching, and reading. However, her greatest pride was her family.

Lee is survived by her loving daughters, Lisa Blanchard Raynal, Colette Blanchard, and Ellen Kerstens (her other daughter); sisters, Elizabeth "Beth" Provost and Norma Lucille "Cile" Mack; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Bernard Paul Blanchard; her parents, Wallace and Annie Miller; and siblings, Ellazine Hill, Gertrude Holland, Milda Porter, James Lawrence "JL" Miller, William "Bill" Miller, Carlton Miller, along with her son-in-law, Terry Raynal.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral service beginning at 11:00 AM at Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home, located at 11817 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Burial will follow the service in Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

The family would like to give special thanks to Lee’s Hospice Staff: Phoebe, Ursula, Belinda and Amalie. They would also like to thank the staff at Sunrise Senior Living on Siegen, especially Trish Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge and their “Love Your Neighbor” Van.