Carlton Jacob Outlaw

ARITON…Mr. Carlton Jacob Outlaw, a resident of Ariton, died late Thursday afternoon, August 7, 2025, at his home. He was 71.

In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned at this time. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Outlaw, born to Roy Jacob Outlaw and Alice Mildred Tharpe Outlaw, was a proud son of Ariton, Alabama—a town he called home for his entire life. He grew up surrounded by the values of hard work, family, and community, and those values stayed with him every step of the way.

He graduated from Ariton High School in 1971, and anyone who knew him would tell you he never stopped being a Purple Cat at heart. He carried that school pride with him long after his graduation, cheering on the team with the same enthusiasm he had as a teenager.

For many years, Mr. Outlaw worked side by side with his brother in the plumbing and electrical business. It wasn’t just a job—it was a way to stay close to family and serve the people of his hometown. Later in life, he continued that spirit of service at Oak View Retirement Center, where he worked in maintenance until his retirement. He was known there not just for fixing things, but for his kindness, reliability, and the quiet way he made life a little easier for everyone around him.

Mr. Outlaw had a deep love for Alabama football—he was a true Crimson Tide fan through and through. Saturdays in the fall were sacred, and he never missed a chance to root for his team. But his heart also belonged to his hometown heroes, the Ariton Purple Cats. Whether it was college or high school football, he found joy in the game and the community it brought together.

Outside of work and football, Mr. Outlaw found peace in the garden. He had a green thumb and a gentle touch with plants, and he took pride in watching things grow. Gardening wasn’t just a

hobby—it was a way for him to connect with nature, reflect, and find quiet moments of happiness. He was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Leamon Outlaw.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Sara Sheffield Outlaw, Ariton; sister, Carolyn Outlaw, Webb; brother, Curtis Wilton Outlaw (Mavis), Ariton; sister-in-law, Barbara Ann Outlaw, Tallahassee, Florida; nieces and nephews.