Betty Joe Tabor

Betty Joe Patton Tabor, 84, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at the Silver Spring Nursing Home in Abilene. Visitation will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Clyde Methodist Church Fellowship Hall located at 217 Oak St. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Clyde Methodist Church with Rev. Monty Barnett officiating.

Betty Joe was born November 23, 1938, in Clinton, Arkansas to Betty Iona Widener Patton and Gilbert Everett Patton. She graduated from Clinton High School and attended Texas Women’s University in Denton, where she met her future husband.

She married Donald Maynard Tabor on August 25, 1957, in Clinton, Arkansas. After they married, they moved to Clyde. She worked at Aileen’s in Abilene. She also worked at the Abilene State School and was the secretary for former Clyde CISD Superintendent Ferrell Newton at one time. She would eventually own Wylie Office Supply on Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, where she enjoyed greeting new and old customers alike.

She was a member of the Clyde Woman’s Club. Betty Joe also enjoyed serving one term on the Clyde City Council. On August 1, 1976, Don and Betty purchased the Clyde Journal, which she owned for the past 47 years. Don passed away on August 12, 2016.

Betty Joe is survived by her three sons, Gil Tabor and wife Becky of Baird, Bryan Tabor and wife Susann of New Braunfels and Danny Tabor of Clyde; five grandchildren, Justin Tabor and wife Haley, Stephanie Davidson and husband D.J., Kyera Smith and husband Matt, all of Abilene, Ashley Broadus and husband Ronnie of Clyde and John Blackburn and wife Danna of Baird; eleven great grandchildren, Breland and Paisley Tabor, Joshua and Jace Davidson, Peter, Iam, Matthew, Jr., Gabriel and Kaysalynn Smith, Logan and Kylie Broadus.