Isla Vale Tabor

Isla Vale Tabor, 86, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and faithful servant of God, joined her Lord and Savior on April 29, 2026. There is no doubt she is being welcomed into Heaven with the words from Matthew 25:23 - “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Born Sept. 24,1939, she was the youngest of five raised by their strong and loving mother Katie Mae Finkley. She grew up in the Whitehall community, enjoying the simple things like pond swimming, and playing in the fields with her brothers and sister. She attended and graduated from Louisville High School where she participated in the drama and Bible clubs. During the summer of 1955, she met the love her life Harry Bernard Tabor, Jr., and they married on June 17,1957, at Whitehall Church. Together they built a beautiful life – raising their four children on a foundation of love, faith and service to each other, their church and their community.

Vale was beloved among all those who knew her. With her striking auburn hair, twinkling eyes and kind smile, she exuded warmth to everyone she met and brought a positive energy to everything she did. She was virtuous, selfless and kind with an infectious playful spirit. She chose the challenging career of being a full-time mom and it was a job she relished. Vale made the Tabor house the home where kids and teens wanted to spend their free time, enjoying home-cooked meals and sage advice. She ran the carpools, served on the PTA, proudly and loudly supported her children from the stands and was the Girl Scout and Cub Scout troop leader everyone adored.

She was always up for anything - water skiing, harrowing rollercoasters or killing a snake. Also, she could outlast anyone in the garden or in a competitive game of cards and Scrabble where she was often the victor.

She equally cherished her role as grandmother to 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was revered for hosting fun sleepovers and endless games of Chutes and Ladders, Go Fish, and tag. She was even spotted playing soccer with her youngest grandson wearing her housecoat. By all accounts, she was a fierce competitor and showed no mercy.

Outside of her family, she devoted her time to Whitehall Church, answering the call to teach Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, help with the annual bazaar and participate in various women’s groups and committees. Her life of service extended to various Louisville civic clubs including more than 45 years – along with her husband – with the Lion’s Club where she served in leadership roles and as president.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Katie Mae Finkley; brothers Earl, Douglas and Victor; and her sister Zenith Williamson. She is survived by her adoring husband of 69 years, Harry Bernard Tabor, Jr., and their four children and their spouses: Tammy and David Morgan; Tim and Tammie Tabor; Debbie and Kevin Arnett; and Terri and Matt Hickey. She will forever be cherished by her 11 grandchildren: Phillip Watson, Laura Kujawa, Anna Claire Morgan, Tyler Tabor, Taryn Jones, Andrew Arnett, Amanda Arnett, Matt Arnett, Stephen Arnett, John Phillip Arnett and Liam Hickey. She will also be fondly remembered by her 13 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 2nd, at Whitehall Church, with Rev. Mike Dowd and Rev. Don Bishop officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 1:30 P.M. until service time at the church. Interment will be in Whitehall Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Whitehall Church, 10954 Hwy 14 West, Louisville, MS or Mississippi Lions Clubs Sight Foundation, 431 Katherine Drive, Flowood, MS, 39232.