Barbara Thompson Messick Benedict, 90, of Salisbury and formerly of Bivalve, died Friday, February 19, 2016 at her home.

Born in Bivalve on June 9, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Cornelius Glenn Messick, Sr. and Amy Turner Messick. Her Bivalve roots remained close to her heart. She enjoyed going "home" to visit with family and friends. Barbara was a graduate of Nanticoke High School and Averett College in Danville, VA. Following college, she lived and worked in Washington, D.C. When she returned to Salisbury she met and married George Alton Benedict, Sr. and began working in the family business, Benedict the Florist.
Barbara was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Salisbury for more than 60 years. She sang in the Sanctuary Choir for 40 years. Barbara was also active in the United Methodist Women and the Esther Circle. In her younger years, she was a member of Bivalve United Methodist Church.

Barbara had a great love for animals, family pets and wild animals alike. She enjoyed caring for them all. She also loved music. While living in Washington, she was a member and participant in the Washington Choral Society. She also enjoyed working in her yard. Most of all, she cherished spending time with her family.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, George Alton Benedict, Sr. in October, 2007. She is survived by two sons and their wives: George Benedict, Jr. (Deborah) and Steve Benedict (Suzy) all of Salisbury; a sister, Gretchen Grimaud of Sea Brooke, Texas; three sisters-in-law, Phyllis Messick and Jean Messick of Bivalve, and Rose Benedict of Salisbury and her son Glenn Benedict Jr.; six grandchildren, Brooke Benedict (Justin Day), Laura Sileo (Vincent), Meredith Russell (Ray), Kyle Cusick (Nikki), James Greenwood (Dove), and Tyra Geary (Roland); eleven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her special friend, Donald Horner of Salisbury

Along with her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Wilbur Messick and Cornelius "Corney" Messick, Jr.; a sister, Jean Messick; and brothers-in-law, John Grimaud and Glenn Benedict, Sr.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 2:00 with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Entombment will follow in Parsons Cemetery.

Flowers are welcomed. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 115 High Street, Salisbury, MD 21801 or Bivalve United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund c/o Cheryl Herbert 20985 Nanticoke Rd Bivalve, MD 21814.

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com