Emi Blanchard

Emily Kay "Emi" Blanchard, age 36, passed away Monday, October 21, 2013 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin due to the complications of child birth.      Emi was born January 21, 1977 at Manchester, Iowa to Paul and Nancy (Paschal) James.  Growing up on an Iowa farm, Emi enjoyed nature and fostered her God-given talent for growing any type of plant or flower.  After high-school, she attended Ozark Christian College in Joplin and SMSU in Springfield, earning degrees in business and horticulture.  A life-long learner, Emi was currently enrolled in on-line courses, allowing her to be a devoted wife and mother.  Always eager to help others whenever there was a need, she will be remembered by many as the kind, cheerful service desk associate at the Webb City Walmart where she worked for many years.  Emi was an active member of Christ's Church of Oronogo.      On November 1, 2011, at Joplin, Emi married Andrew Blanchard, and he survives, of the home.  Also surviving are a two-year-old son, Carson Blanchard and a newborn daughter, Eleana Rose Blanchard; her father, Paul James, Stanley, Iowa; her mother, Nancy James, Oelwein, Iowa; maternal grandparents, Bob & Jeanine Paschal, Oelwein; a sister, Jenn James, Minneapolis, Minnesota; three brothers, Aaron (Amanda) James, Oelwein, Adam (Rachael) James, Farmington, Minnesota, Justin (fiancé, Kayla) James, Janesville, Iowa; parents-in-law, Richard & Peggy Blanchard, two brothers-in-law, Daniel & Jacob Blanchard of Lamar; two sisters-in-law, Jinnifer Loum, Springfield, and Megan Blanchard, Lamar; three nephews and four nieces.  She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Kenneth & Violet James, and a niece, Brianna Dawn James.      Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 25th at Christ's Church of Oronogo with Pastor Ken Ansley officiating.  Burial will be in Oronogo Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until noon Friday at the church.