On July 30, 2017, Violene Outlaw Sharpe, of Timberlake Drive, Suffolk, closed her eyes and peacefully went to be with the Lord. Violene was born on April 6, 1930, in Stokes, N.C., to the late Christine (Bell) Outlaw Parker and the late Estee Morning. She was educated in North Carolina Public Schools and graduated from Elizabeth City State College. Violene was united in marriage to the late Johnnie Earl Sharpe.

Prior to her illness, she taught in Suffolk Public Schools at East Suffolk and Nansemond Parkway elementary schools. Following her retirement in 1991, she continued to serve as a substitute teacher for many years.

Violene was a 50-plus year member of East End Baptist Church, where she served as a Deaconess/Deaconess Emeritus and Girl Scouts leader.

Violene’s precious memory will be treasured by her son, Ronnie Sharpe; daughter-in-law, Donna; granddaughter, Ronnica; four sisters, Myrtle Carney, Gloria Outlaw, Jean Morning and Hilda Morning; three brothers, Primus Outlaw, Sylvester Parker, Garland Estee; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial services will be conducted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Links Inc. at Crocker Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. The homegoing service will be held at noon on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, County Street, Suffolk. Interment will be in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. The family will receive visitors at her home. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.