Benjamin Tabor, age 77, was born September 17, 1946, to William Wesley and Velmar Parrott Tabor in Crossville and passed away November 5, 2023.

Ben was stricken with polio when he was just six years old and then missed his first year of schooling because of it.  Despite the setback, Ben completed first and second grade in a single year and continued to excel in school with exceptional grades.

Ben loved math and became bored with school after eighth grade and quit school to help his parents and to begin what would become his lifelong passion, trucking.  At the age of fourteen, Ben started helping his family travel and transport produce for the family business. Ben quickly learned how to acquire bigger and better equipment, beginning a passion that would last a lifetime.

Ben started Ben Tabor Trucking and continued to buy trucks and equipment for the next six decades. Ben was a self-taught man from humble beginnings, who was determined to succeed by doing things his own way.

Ben loved nice old cars and big fancy trucks. NASCAR was a favorite hobby. In his youth, Ben liked fishing and hunting. Ben loved children and inspired them to be the best they could be.

Ben was saved on May 1, 2012, and became a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He attended Winesap Freewill Baptist Church in the Newton community.

Ben was a respected philanthropist who loved to help people. Ben’s generosity for the Cumberland community is well-known and will carry his legacy forward.

Ben was afflicted by COVID-19 on September 16, 2020, and fought it to the end. This ultimately was the last chapter of Ben’s wonderful book of life.

Ben is survived by his wife of 49 years: Mary Wilson Tabor; twin daughters: Benita Koehl (Damon) and Renita Iles (Porter); grandchildren: Dustin, Keeli, Adam, Brianna, Nicole, Todd and Brandon; 7 great-grandchildren; 3 nieces; 3 nephews; adopted children: Bailey and Jaclyn Eaton, Taylor Gutrie, and Brooke Hicks; and aunt: Marlene Looney.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Kenneth, Zilvin and Willard Tabor; and grandparents: Sam and Lucinda Tabor (Atkinson) and James and Charlotte Parrott.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from noon until 2 p.m. at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home with service to follow. Burial will be in Tolletts Chapel Cemetery in Crossville.