Estell Marcus Tabor's Obituary
Early Sunday, February 9, 2020, Estell Marcus Tabor—born in Garfield, Kentucky, on
Sunday, April 8, 1934, recent resident of The Villages, Florida—peacefully slipped the
surly bonds of earth to be with his heavenly Father. Mark was surrounded by his three
children Jeff (Marcia) Tabor, Brad (Holly)Tabor, and Melissa (Carlos) Marin. He suffered
“protracted” illnesses including multiple open heart surgeries, diabetes, as well as several prolonged bouts of severe pneumonia which ultimately took his life, but through it
all he was a tough fighter with a true comeback spirit. In the end he was at peace with
God and ready to go Home.
“Markie” as he was called by his Dad, Mom and siblings; known as Mark to most of us
and Dad to some of us, grew up in Garfield, Kentucky; graduated from Breckenridge
County High School in 1953. He was a heck of a basketball player. His team advanced
to the quarter finals twice before losing at the Kentucky State High School Championship. That’s a big deal in Kentucky if you remember the movie, “Hoosiers.”
He went straight to work after high school. He was drafted into the Army during the
Korean War and was a tank driver/mechanic at Ft. Knox.
Mark spent thirty-nine faithful years working for Chicago Bridge and Iron (CB&I) painting and building water towers; one of the nation’s first public-use nuclear power plant
in Genoa, Wisconsin; sugar beet processing plants; liquid propane storage facilities;
off-shore drilling platforms; and “The Peach” water tower in Gaffney, South Carolina.
It was during this time he earned his nickname and CB handle, Maytag. Why Maytag?
It’s the world’s greatest agitator. He loved to have fun with a good prank or joke.
After retirement Mark travelled the world, enjoying all aspects of God’s planet. At his
final residence, Elan Bueno Vista in the villages, Mark quickly made himself at home.
He endeared himself to the whole staff and many many residents including a very
special friend, Lilly. He loved to drive—anywhere, play Rook, work on jigsaw puzzles,
and spend time with friends and his siblings.
The oldest of ten children, he was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Lois Jeffries, in 1993; his brothers Billy (Janet) and Joe (JoAnn); and his sister Natalia (Jim
Mitcham). He is survived by the other six: Jacquie Lucas (Layman), Peggy Smiley
(Roger), Norma, John (Mary), George (Terri), and David (Kathy). He had eleven grandchildren: Dash; Will; Kevin; David; Jonathan; Joshua; Zachary; Michaela; Annelise;
Gabriella; and Charlie; as well as one bonus grandchild, Cate Morgan Glasscock-Hinton
(Ronnie), his great-grandkids, her daughters, Hattie and Piper; step children Joy Avery (Mark), Jim Flack; and step grandchildren Riley, Raelyn, Noel.
There will be a Visitation for Mark at Trent-Dowell Funeral Home in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, on Friday, February 14, from 4-7pm, and a Service at Cumberland Presbyterian
Church in Garfield on Saturday, February 15, at 10am. He will then be buried at Sand
Knob Cemetery next to Lois, who has been patiently waiting for him for the last twenty-seven years.
What’s your fondest memory of Estell?
What’s a lesson you learned from Estell?
Share a story where Estell's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Estell you’ll never forget.
How did Estell make you smile?
