Obituary of Calvin Tabor

Rev. Calvin Tabor, Sr., 74 of Church Hill went to be with the Lord on Tuesday afternoon, December 31, 2013 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center after an extended illness. Rev. Tabor attended Pocahontas High School, Southwest Virginia Community College and completed his seminary studies at Duke University. He was a retired United Methodist Minister with 42 year's of service. Rev. Tabor chose to continue his ministry as Pastor of Valley Center United Methodist Church. He had previously pastored Grange Hall, Ross Camp Ground and Cameron United Methodist Churches, as well as 16 other UM Churches in Virginia during the 1970's. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served 3 years. Calvin was a well-liked and gentle person, who enjoyed researching and studying his Bible. He loved everyone, and loved visiting nursing homes, mowing yards, feeding and taking the elderly to the doctor. He was preceded in death by his first wife Phillis Tabor; parents, Joe and Norma Tabor; maternal grandmother Loraine Blankenship, paternal grandparents, Cleve and Sally Tabor; brother, Jackie Tabor and sister, Patricia Hall. Survivors include his wife, Roberta (Ro) Hobbs Tabor of Church Hill; son, Sam Tabor, Jr. of Church Hill; two daughters, Pam Tabor and Regina Tabor both of Lake City, FL; four grandchildren, Rion, Emily, Casey and Kayla; three great grandchildren; step-son, Eric Long & wife, Deanna of Church Hill, step-daughter, Tanya Long-Garro of Nashville, five step grandchildren, Nick, Ben, Cy, Marin, and Cella; one step great-grandchild; brother, Bill Tabor & wife Zenith of Boissevain, VA; twin brother, Alvin Tabor & wife Norman of McBain, NC; two step-sisters, Nancy Thompson and Sharon Collins; along with twelve nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4 pm - 7 pm on Friday, January 3rd, 2014 at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga Street, Kingsport. Funeral services will follow in the chapel at 7 pm with Rev Ray Amos and Supt. David Graves, officiating. Music will be provided by Wayne Beldsoe, Billy Gillespie and Good Neighbor Quartet. Graveside services will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, January 4th, 2014 at Hermon UMC Cemetery, East Carters Valley Rd, Gate City VA. Pallbearers will be Sam Tabor, Eric Long, Nick Long, Ben Long, Shannon Kelly, Todd Kinley, Kirk Moneyhun and David Bates. Honorary pallbearers are Freddie Bussell, Clint Sensabaugh, Joe Bussell, Marcel Gibbons and Jerry Gibbons. Those attending are asked to meet at the funeral home by 12 noon to go in procession. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to the Valley Center UMC Building Fund, C/O Marcel Gibbons, 152 Shipley Road, Church Hill, Tennessee 37642 Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving Rev. Tabor's family.