Deaconess Mary Katherine Outlaw

Deaconess Mary K. Outlaw was born on June 16, 1952, in Durant, Mississippi, to her parents John M. Sykes and Alice D. (Matlock) Pegees. On July 11, 1968, Mary was united in marriage to Willie Outlaw. The couple welcomed seven children into their family.

She upholstered furniture for many years, later working as a cleaning lady for ABLM and John Deere, both in Waterloo. Mary was a former member of Ambassador Church for Christ, where she served as an usher, deacon, and was a Mother of the church.

Mary enjoyed sewing, quilt making, and making Christmas wreaths for her family members. She also liked watching Walker, Texas Ranger and In the Heat of the Night. Mary was a woman of strong faith and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, was one of her favorite hymns to sing. She loved her grandsons Antonio Hardy, Depre Owens, Tremaine Toles, Marquarius Johnson, Keshawn Outlaw, Michael Holmes, Deshone Outlaw Jr. and granddaughters Laelanya, Labria, Lakisha Outlaw, Laquilla Holmes, Raveone Johnson, Shykeeshia and Brittany Outlaw, Dayshone and Lashia Outlaw.

Mary is survived by her husband Willie of Waterloo; mother Alice Pegees; children Mary (Jimmie) Hopkins of O’Fallon, MO, Kelvin Outlaw, Calvin (Stephanie) Outlaw, Barbara (Ernest) Outlaw-Fisher, Deshone (Amy) Outlaw, Willie James (Leondrah) Outlaw, all of Waterloo, and Lamar Trendale (Andrea) Outlaw of Oxford, WI; brothers Sammy (Wilma) Matlock of Waterloo, William Matlock of Milwaukee, WI and John Spates of Waterloo and sisters Cononius Waters and Annie Thrower of Rockford, IL; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and great-great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her father John Sykes; adoptive mother Annie Matlock; grandson Lamarius-Cyrus Outlaw and many other grandchildren; brother Mack Sykes and sisters Mary Lee Bruce, Barbara Matlock and Anna Matlock; daughter-in-law Kimberly K. Outlaw.

Mary passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Visitation for Mary will be held on Friday, March 31 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Locke on 4th, 1519 W. 4th Street, Waterloo. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow services at Fairview Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be directed to the family.

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