Loretta D. Tabor

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Murray State University

Loretta Tabor Obituary

Loretta D. Tabor Loretta D. Tabor,a resident of Callawassee Island and the wife of Stephen H. Tabor, died Saturday night, April 9, following a traffic accident. Loretta was born October 9, 1946 in Washington, PA the daughter of Dr. Regis and Ruth Downey. She and her husband had resided in various locations during his career including Westernport, MD, Paducah, KY, Howell, NJ, and Columbia, MD prior to their move to South Carolina in 2005. She was a graduate of Murray State University, Murray, KY earning her Bachelor degree in education. She earned her Master degree as a reading specialist from Loyola University in Baltimore. Loretta had extensive experience in education including teaching at two elementary schools and directing the Head Start program in Columbia, MD. She had also served as a reading specialist at Grace & St. Peter's in Baltimore. In addition to her husband, Loretta is survived by one daughter, Sarah Gilmore (Benjamin) of Washington, DC: two sons, Peter (Patti) of Pflugerville, TX and Charles of Ocean, NJ. She and Steve are grandparents of six grandchildren; Chase, Conner and Chance Tabor of Pflugerville, Texas;Lucy and Alice Gilmore of Washington, DC and Anya Roux Tabor of Ocean, NJ. Loretta came from a family of seven and issurvived by siblings Dennis (Ann) Nichols of Green Bay, WI; Francis (Tim) Downey of Latrobe, PA; Patricia Hutton of Tampa, FL; Michael Downey of Amity, PA; and Joseph Downey of Tampa, FL. She was preceded in death by her brother John Downey and by her parents. Loretta was a very generousperson who gave of her time and resources to her church, All Saints Episcopal of Hilton Head,and to the numerous other causes in which she had strong belief including the church's outreach activities. She and Steve were dedicated to the Dominican Republic Missions supported by their church and had made many trips to the island nation to work at the school and mission in Barahona, DR. She was deeply admired and loved by all who knew her. Loretta loved her family very deeply and enjoyed the frequent trips she and Steve made to visit them. She also enjoyed her tennis, reading, bridge and especially the many trips she and Steve had taken around the world. A memorial service in her memory will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 18, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 3001 Meeting Street, Hilton Head. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Dominican Republic Missions at All Saints Church.

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Published by The Island Packet on Apr. 13, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Loretta Tabor

8 Entries

Jeanette Dennis

April 23, 2016

Steve Ron & I were so sorry to hear about the death of Loretta.Our heart aches for the loss of such a loving person. Our prayers go out to you and your family.

Bella Rahm

April 18, 2016

Loretta was a dear friend to Mike and I. She was so giving and full of love. She always found the best is everyone she knew. I will miss her easy laugh and fun-loving spirit. RIP, my friend!

Amy Lohr

April 16, 2016

We met Loretta and Steve when they moved across the street from us in Maryland. Saddened but happy for them when they moved to SC to enjoy a well deserved retirement, we cherish our recent visit with them in SC this past January. Loretta was the most giving, selfless person we have met. We are heart broken and are mourning the loss of such a beautiful soul. Loretta has inspired me to strive to continue her legacy of doing good works on Earth. She was a wonderful and compassionate person who will be sorely missed.

Brenda Hartsell

April 14, 2016

Fifty years ago in a land far away, Westernport, Maryland, young families relied on the paper mill in Luke for their livlihood and each other for their fun and fellowship. So the Tabors, Boyds, and Hartsells, along with others, shared holidays and everyday experiences and watched our children grow togther.
Then gradually we went our separate ways to other jobs and locations, but without loosing contact through the years.
As retirement came and life found us again close enough to visit, we shared more happy times together.
Oh how we will miss Loretta; her always loving smile, sense of humor, impeccable hospitality, and contagious enthusiasm for her "projects", which always included children and their welfare. She was an inspiration to us all and we loved her so much.

She loved her family and all of us and the best we can do to honor her is to remember those she championed and continue her good works wherever we can.
God bless all the Tabors and know that we are the bearers of many wonderful memories and are willing to share them.
Larry and Brenda Hartsell

Fred & Mary Anne Gebler

April 13, 2016

Loretta was a true saint at her church who always could be counted on to lead another mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Through this labor of love, Loretta touched the lives of so many who participated in her Vacation Bible School programs or wore a pair of the new shoes that were donated as part of her continuous shoe ministry for the DR. Her enthusiasm for this international outreach work was contagious within her parish and her diocese.

She also led numerous church services at NHC in Bluffton, SC as a Lay Eucharistic Minister representing her church. Loretta and Steve were also strong supporters of the Voorhees College Gospel Choir, who loved to host some of its members at their home when they were performing at All Saints Episcopal Church on Hilton Head Island.

She was a very dear friend and we will sorely miss her beaming smile and positive attitude. We will all treasure forever so many fond memories of Loretta.

David and Jenny Morris

April 13, 2016

Dear Steve and Family, We are sorry to hear of the death of Loretta. You and Loretta were wonderful neighbors and friends. She was a delight to be around and with a genuine personality. We are thinking of you.

Marilyn Tarantino

April 13, 2016

How do you say farewell to a person who was more a sister than just a friend.She was a sister, friend, confidant and just a treasure.We will be bonded forever and will miss her more than I can say. Loretta was someone who made you feel accepted, loved and cared for.She so loved children and her profession of teaching them how to love to read. The loves of her life were Steve,Pete, Charles and Sarah (their spouses) and her grandbabies. My dear, dear friend, you have my heart.Love You, Fly.

Joan Mall

April 13, 2016

Loretta was a friend and a very giving person to all who knew her. She will be remembered with many memories of all the kindness and love she gave. We will miss her.

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