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Deaconess Josephine B. Outlaw celebrated her 81st birthday with a surprise birthday party on April 10. The birthday party was given to her by her 14 children, 10 girls and four boys, and their families. The King’s Fork Community House was the setting for this grand event.

The special feature of this party was the theme “Sitting on Top of the World,” which was based on food from around the world. Each family group decorated their own rectangular table, the walls and the area around their table. They named their restaurants based on the food they were serving. They dressed up in attire to complement their restaurant theme and gave a commercial inviting guests to visit their restaurant and dine from their table. The atmosphere was very competitive, and the food was mouth-watering, plentiful and delicious. 

The names of the restaurants and the food they offered were “VMO and Red Seafood Restaurant,” “Family Dragons, Noodles and More,” “El Roses,” “Shu Yo Muf,” “Drinks on Us Cafe,”  “M & D Sweet Shoppe,” “K & T Bakery,” “Boone’s Grill and Family,” “Soul Food Cafe,” “Caribbean Luau” and “F & C Snack Cafe.”

The color theme was pink and gray. The attendees sat at round tables, which were exquisitely decorated with pink table cloths, gray silk runners, gray sashes and gorgeous lighted centerpieces. The tables were set with silver chargers, white dinner and dessert plates with silver cut-outs forming the edging, silver cutlery, glasses with silver rim and gray dinner napkins. 

The honoree’s table was beautifully decorated with a pink floral ribbon tablecloth, gray silk runner and a gorgeous custom lighted centerpiece. Her chair featured a pink ruffled chair cover and a gray sash. A highly decorated happy birthday sign with her picture on it was placed on an easel and formed the backdrop for her table. 

Guests received a pink or gray nylon drawstring souvenir bag containing a thank-you note and a variety of delicious treats. The treat bags for the adults were different from the ones prepared for the children. There was a second birthday surprise. Deaconess Outlaw’s daughters surprised her by having a sleepover at her house the night of her birthday. There was so much love, and they had a lot of fun bonding and sharing.

Deaconess Outlaw acknowledges with great appreciation the contributions of everyone and gives special thanks to Elder Howard Green for the artistic signs, Jaylah Felton, Mrs. Mary S. Whitley and Mrs. Mary S. Slade for transforming the King’s Fork Community House into a grand ballroom with their decorative skills and abilities. She is also so grateful to her special and devoted friend, Mother Constance E. Jones, who coordinated the birthday party with such elegance and efficiency.

Deaconess Outlaw is the mother of 14 children, several grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. She is the wife of the late Deacon Clifton L. Outlaw Sr. She is an active and dedicated member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church, where she serves faithfully on the Deaconess Board and in the Missionary Circle. She is also a member of the Household of Ruth and the Eastern Star. 

Deaconess Outlaw is kind, loving, friendly and a beautiful Christian lady. When she steps out she is always dressed to the nines, and her children call her Queen.