Mrs. Mary Ann Sharpe Outlaw, 83, of Columbia, died Sunday, October 12, 2014 after a brief illness. Born September 10, 1931, in Columbia, she was a daughter of the late Clarence Edgerton Sharpe and Mary Estelle Joyner Sharpe.

Mrs. Outlaw retired from AT&T/Southern Bell/BellSouth after 43 years of service. She started her career in Camden, SC as an operator, and held numerous positions throughout her tenure. She was an active member of New Heights Church, formerly Colonial Heights Baptist, along with Telephone Pioneers, and Eastern Star. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who spent as much time as possible with her family.

Survivors include her daughters, Carolyn (David, Sr.) Mitchell, Gwen Franklin, Sherry (Ray) Massengale; and daughter-in-law, Melissa Outlaw, all of Columbia; grandchildren, David (Kelly) Mitchell, Jr., Jason Mitchell, Benjamin (Bethany) Mitchell, Beth (Matt) Granger, Jennifer Franklin, Robert Brinson, Brian (Frances) Brinson, and Olivia Outlaw all of Columbia; great-grandchildren, Graham Mitchell, Ali Brinson, Keith Brinson, and Bailee Brinson of Columbia; sisters, Frances (Luther) Vinson, Jean (James) Baughman, of West Columbia, Thelma (David) Patton of Columbia; brothers, Charles G. (Wanda) Sharpe of Lexington, Robert L. (Donna) Sharpe of Swansea; and sister-in-law Joyce Sharpe of Leesville. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Robert Lee Outlaw; sons, Robert Keith and Richard Brian Outlaw; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clarence E. Jr., and Dorothy Sharpe, James D. Sharpe, Bobby L. and Janet Sharpe, Alton L. and Jackie Sharpe; and step-mother, Decie Gartman Sharpe.

A funeral service for Mrs. Outlaw will be held at 3 o'clock, Wednesday, October 15th, at New Heights Church with The Rev. Michael Townsend officiating. Burial will follow at Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 pm at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Dr. and also Wednesday at the church, prior to the service from 2 until 3 pm. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Heights Church, 5501 Broad River Rd., Columbia, SC 29212.