Betty M. Outlaw

Our dear mother, Betty Outlaw sadly passed away on March 18, 2023. She was a wonderful

mother who was always there in our time of need. She also had many friends and was a well-loved and

respected member of the community.

Betty was born on January 1, 1943, in Beaumont, Texas where she attended both elementary

and high school. Soon after graduating from high school, she relocated to Colfax, Louisiana where she

met her first husband John Miller, Sr. Betty and John welcomed their three children John Jr., Karen and

Monique.

At the age of 22 Betty moved to Jersey City, New Jersey and she attended Rutgers University

where she studied Business. In 1970, she met and married her current husband Willis Outlaw Jr. and

from that union, Betty and Willis had two children, Kassiem and Megan.

Betty Outlaw dedicated her life to leadership, volunteerism and mentorship. Her life of service

began when she founded the Lexington Avenue Block Association where she would host the Free

Breakfast and Lunch Program every summer for underprivileged children right out of her home and let's

not forget the government cheese program. Her love for the community inspired her to seek the seat

for Assembly in 1985 and Hudson County Clerk in 1998. Betty, a civil rights activist coordinated in 1988 a

return to Washington, DC for the 25th Anniversary of the King’s Speech. Betty continued to show her

love for Jersey City and the residents when she ran for the Jersey City Municipal Council in 2009.

She was the Co-Director of the Hudson/Essex Counties Regional Tournament of Champions,

President of the North Hudson Division of the American Heart Association, a member of the Greenville

Steering Committee, the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, People United for Progress and the

NAACP. Betty was appointed by Governor Florio to serve on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission as

well as an organizer for the yearly breakfast with Santa at the Moose Hall and the Seasoned Retirees of

Jersey City.

Betty began her career with the City of Jersey City by serving as Secretary to the Jersey City

Municipal Council and Executive Secretary to then Council President Glenn Cunningham under the

leadership of the late Mayor Anthony Cucci. She believed everyone was entitled to the right to vote and

began hosting voters’ registration drives. Betty was then appointed as the first African American to

serve as the Hudson County Superintendent of Elections where she served from 1988 to 2001. She went

on to serve as the Director of the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services and as the

Director of the Jersey City Department of Public Works. She retired from the City of Jersey City but her

dedication and commitment to the people of Jersey City continued well after.

Betty leaves behind to cherish her memory and legacy, husband, Willis Outlaw Sr.; children John

Miller, Jr, Karen Bruce and her husband Selvin, Monique Snow and her husband Cleveland, Kassiem

Outlaw; grand-children Deshaan McNeill, Diona McClain, Krystal Snow, Kassiem Outlaw, Jr., Deshard

Outlaw, Briana Meyers and Jaden Meyers as well as her great-grandchildren Amira McNeil, Deshaan

McNeil, Jr. and Roman Baxter; Sisters, Billie Gray, Terry Gray and Lynn Caldwell and Sister-In Law Estelle

Louise Pearson as well as a host of nieces and nephews. However, many people considered Betty as

their surrogate mother. She was predeceased by her parents, Freddie and Corine Gray; her daughter

Megan Outlaw and her grandson, Jayvon Snow.; her brothers Martin Gray, Freddie Gray, Jr. and Al Gray

and a sister Lillie Mae Walker.