Barbara Messick

It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the passing of Barbara Helene Messick. Barbara, 70, was born Sept. 15, 1951, in San Diego, CA, to Daisy Elaine Presson and Paul Lee Smith. The family moved back to Missouri when Barbara was very young.

Barbara graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1969. A week later she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Gary Lee Messick. They made their home in El Dorado Springs. To this union were two beautiful daughters, Lisa Inez and Tara Elaine.

After raising her daughters, Barbara went back to school to earn her nursing degree. She graduated from Fort Scott Community College with Phi Theta Kappa honors in December of 1992. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in nursing at Pittsburg State University in May of 1996 where she graduated with Sigma Theta Tau honors. A few years later she went to Albany, NY, where she earned her CWOCN (Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing).

Barbara loved nursing and had a passion to take care others. She was a registered nurse for over two decades until she retired in 2015.

Barbara enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, sewing, quilting, and being outside gardening.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Daisy Altop, and husband, James; father, Paul Smith; sister, JoAnne Altop (Chambers).

Survivors include her husband, Gary, of the home; two daughters, Lisa Messick – Springfield and Tara Jennings (Jeff) – Ashland; five grandchildren, Garren and Gunnar Hochstedler, Skyler, Tristen, and Tessa Jennings; two great-grandchildren, Hazel Hochstedler and Cage Gaudiano; sister, Paula Parks; brother, Jimmy Altop; and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Barbara were Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Bland – Hackleman Funeral Home with burial in the Love Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.