SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Eleanor Woodward Balthis Mincher of Westminster Village in Spanish Fort, Ala., died Sunday, May 10, 2009. She was born in Louisville, Miss., on Nov. 14, 1915.

She graduated from Mississippi State College for Women with a double degree in chemistry and bacteriology. She married Russell F. Balthis Jr. on June 1, 1940, and lived in Vicksburg for 20 years. She worked at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station for 14 years. After their move to Mobile, Ala., she worked at the Mobile District of the Corps for 16 years, where she was a trailblazer — the first female Certified Engineering Technician. She was the “Concrete Lady,” whose main job was on the construction of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. She was also the first female Ruling Elder in the Presbytery of Mobile at Cottage Hill Presbyterian Church.

After the passing of her husband in 1973, and her retirement in 1978, she married Albert R. Mincher, a beau from 45 years earlier. She moved to Prentiss, Miss., where they lived for 20 years, until moving to Westminster Village in 1998. She was active in the Mississippi and Alabama D.A.R., A.A.U.W., Society of Certified Engineering Technicians, and she loved to play bridge.

She was preceded in death by both husbands; and sons, Neil Mincher and Russell F. “Rusty” Balthis III.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Balthis Hicks of LaGrande, Ore.; her sons, Richard L. Balthis of Mobile, John Mincher of Dickinson, Texas and Jim Mincher of Wrightsville Beach, N.C.; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Mincher will be held at Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to any of the following would be appreciated: French Camp Academy, 1 Fine Place, French Camp, MS 29745; Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church, 1120 Spanish Fort Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527; or Westminster Village Foundation, 500 Spanish Fort Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527.

For more information, please call 541-963-3953. Cremation arrangements are by Hughes Cremation & Funeral Service, Daphne, Ala.